In a resounding call to action, over 50 Members of the Knesset (MKs) have implored Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to tackle the contentious issue of US sanctions against Israeli settlers during his forthcoming speech to the US Congress. This impassioned plea underscores the critical importance of addressing the economic measures that have been levied against Israeli civilians and organizations, which many perceive as a direct affront to Israeli sovereignty and the robust friendship between Israel and the United States.
Leading the Charge: The Land of Israel Caucus
At the forefront of this initiative are the Land of Israel Caucus heads: Yuli Edelstein of the Likud party, Simcha Rothman from the Religious Zionist Party, and Limor Son Harmelech of Otzma Yehudit. These prominent figures have not only urged Netanyahu to vocalize the grievances of the Israeli "settler" community but have also recommended that he be accompanied by leaders of communities in Judea and Samaria, often called "West Bank settlements" in America. This symbolic gesture is intended to demonstrate the government's unwavering commitment to the homeland and the indissoluble bond between the state and the settlement movement.
Statement from Eight Likud Members of Knesset
ā Ariel Kallner ××Ø××× ×§×× ×Ø (@ArielKallner) July 20, 2024
Ahead of the Prime Minister's Departure Tomorrow:
To Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
We, the undersigned members of the Likud party, offer our full support as you prepare to address both houses of Congress in the United States.ā¦
Government's Stance on US Sanctions
Reports have surfaced indicating that Netanyahu is set to meet with several mayors from Judea and Samaria, a move likely influenced by the MKs' fervent letter. The letter itself is a powerful testament to the unity and resolve within the Knesset, boasting 55 signatures from members across the political spectrum, including all coalition parties and the opposition party United Right.
The MKs have vehemently condemned the economic sanctions, describing them as a "blatant harm to Israeli sovereignty, to the longtime friendship between the two states, to the values of democracy which the US has always championed, and of course to the global struggle against terror." They highlighted the hypocrisy of targeting Israeli entities while no sanctions have been applied to members of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, who are deeply entrenched in terrorist activities.
Targeted Israeli Officials
Adding fuel to the fire, reports have emerged that the US administration intends to apply sanctions to far-right ministers MK Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. This potential move has been met with severe criticism, with MKs viewing it as a grievous overreach by the US government. The notion of sanctioning elected Israeli officials for their democratic and national actions is seen as a critical blow to Israeli sovereignty and bilateral relations.
On the eve of welcoming Israeli PM Netanyahu to a joint address to Congress, the White House is discussing sanctions against Israeli ministers.
ā Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) July 20, 2024
Any guesses the last time Biden sanctioned a member of the CCP Politburo? [answer in next tweet]https://t.co/bNC0GNpY4d
Smotrich's Defiant Response
In response to these developments, Bezalel Smotrich has issued a defiant statement, characterizing the potential sanctions as a "miserable decision" driven by internal political needs within the US. He expressed his willingness to bear any personal consequences but warned that such actions would have dire national implications. "Applying sanctions to an elected official and senior government minister due to his democratic and national actions [carried out] with the authority and permission of his constituents is a critical blow to Israeli sovereignty and the relations between the states and will have difficult consequences in many fields," Smotrich declared.
US-Israel Tensions Escalate
The discussion surrounding the sanctions has been a focal point within the National Security Council at the White House. The Biden administration has held Smotrich and Ben-Gvir responsible for undermining security in Judea and Samaria and leading the government there, citing concerns over the expansion of Jewish settlements and the weakening of the Palestinian Authority. This tension is further exacerbated by the administration's belief that the settlements contravene international law.
Conclusion
As Prime Minister Netanyahu prepares to address the US Congress, the eyes of both nations are fixed on his response to these sanctions. The outcome of this high-stakes diplomatic engagement will undoubtedly have profound implications for US-Israel relations and the future of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. The unity and determination displayed by the Knesset members underscore the gravity of the situation and the unwavering resolve to defend Israeli sovereignty on the global stage.
