2024-01-13 04:21:46
A group of Jewish Democrats in the US House of Representatives put pressure on Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog regarding the “inflammatory comments” made by Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, according to what was published by the American website “Axios”.
Israeli and American officials say that the statements and actions taken by right-wing ministers, especially regarding the war in Gaza, have caused increasing tension between Israel and many of its allies, especially the administration of President Joe Biden and the Democratic parties.
Smotrich, the Finance Minister, said in a recent interview with Israeli media that Israel must take steps to encourage the migration of the majority of Palestinians in Gaza, who number more than two million people, to other countries.
Ben Gvir, the Minister of National Security, also expressed his support for such a move, saying it would allow Israel to rebuild Jewish settlements in Gaza.
What happened?
- Herzog sat with approximately 15 Jewish members, according to six members present at the meeting.
- Rep. Jan Schakowski told Axios that disapproval of the two ministers’ comments was expressed unanimously by members.
- Representative Brad Schneider said that while the two ministers’ comments were the primary focus of the meeting, “a whole list of ill-advised statements were brought up to the Knesset members.”
- Representative Greg Landsman said: “We pressed the ambassador regarding the statements made by some of these right-wingers regarding what will happen next in Gaza, as part of a series of really hateful statements.”
- Lawmakers warned that the comments harm not only efforts to reach a hostage deal and stop the fighting in Gaza, but also American public opinion toward Israel.
- “What these two Cabinet members did made it more difficult for those of us who support Israel 100 percent,” Rep. Steve Cohen said, summarizing the argument that was being made.
- A source familiar with the meeting said that in response to concerns raised by lawmakers, the ambassador responded with Netanyahu’s statement that Israel does not seek to forcefully displace Palestinians or reoccupy Gaza.
- The ambassador also stressed that Ben Gvir and Smotrich are allowed to speak freely, but their statements do not necessarily represent the government’s official position.
- Some were dissatisfied with Herzog’s responses, with Schakowsky, one of the more progressive members, saying that she and her colleagues “did their best to get some kind of answer, and got nothing.”
- She added: “Israel’s strongest supporters were pressing him hard, and he kept shaking his head, saying: There is nothing I can do.”
A member of the Israeli war cabinet told the Axios website that Ben Gvir is using the war in Gaza for an “extremist political campaign,” and instead of restraining him, Netanyahu remains silent most of the time for internal political reasons.
The Israeli embassy confirmed to Axios that “Ambassador Herzog maintains regular contact with members of the US Congress, which allows him to keep them informed of the official policy of the Israeli government. We do not comment on the content of these private discussions.”
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