Israel's opposition answered the U.K.'s West Bank sanctions with a shrug
The Israeli politicians who see themselves as an alternative to Netanyahu's extremist government have no interest in Palestinians in the West Bank or in Gaza - and they are helping to steer the Israeli ship further from the world | Analysis
On Thursday, IDF Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth delivered a speech, balancing efforts against Palestinian terror and Jewish extremist violence. Bluth praised the cooperation of the police, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and local Israeli councils for Judea and Samaria, but warned that only if all these officials perform their duties properly will terror and violence be stopped.
The United Kingdom and 11 other Western countries imposed sanctions on Israel for various issues, including the IDF's inability to curb Jewish extremist violence in the West Bank. Bluth has repeatedly urged stronger efforts from the police, Shin Bet, local officials, the security cabinet, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his speech, Bluth praised cooperation among law enforcement organizations, but also emphasized the need for more serious action against Jewish violence against Palestinians.
This came amid diplomatic setbacks for Israel this week, partially due to the problem of Jewish extremism. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced he would summon Bluth for being too aggressive, but IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir blocked Katz's attempt to fire Bluth, leaving Katz in a new position. The results of Katz's decision to end Jewish administrative detention have been widely criticized by IDF and Shin Bet officials for causing harm to innocent Palestinians and undermining Israel's international standing.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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