The extent to which the Biden administration has been interfering in the business of Israel has become a provocation. An enemy is an enemy, but a fickle friend is dangerously unpredictable. Such is the Biden administration in its harassment of Israel at a time when Israel is embroiled in an existential war.
Category: Netanyahu
Netanyahu calls US sanctions against IDF unit ‘the height of absurdity’ and a ‘moral low’
SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/04/netanyahu-calls-us-sanctions-against-idf-unit-the-height-of-absurdity-and-a-moral-low; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:
This is the first time ever that America has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit. It’s “absurd” and a “moral low,” as Netanyahu rightly states.
The sanctions follow “a special State Department panel that investigated alleged violations of human rights based on the Leahy law recommended months ago that Blinken disqualify multiple Israeli military and police units that operate in the West Bank from receiving U.S. aid.” Who are the members of this panel, and why now? They are clearly anti-Israel and biased.
Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has stated:
“The commanders and troops of the Netzach Yehuda battalion operate on the frontline – since the outbreak of the war. They have been working to push Hezbollah forces from the northern border to thwart terrorism in Judea and Samaria, and most recently, they are operating to dismantle Hamas brigades in Gaza. They are risking their lives and fighting terrorism. The battalion’s activities are carried out in accordance with the values of the IDF and in accordance with international law. Any event that deviates from the aforementioned standards is addressed accordingly.
Any attempt to criticize an entire unit casts a heavy shadow on the actions of the IDF, which operates to protect the citizens of Israel. Damage to one battalion, affects the entire defense establishment – this is not the right path for partners and friends.
Our friends and our enemies are closely watching the ties between Israel and the United States, now more than ever. I call on the U.S. Administration to withdraw its intention to impose sanctions on the Netzach Yehuda battalion.” (Courtesy: Israel Government Press Office).
The Biden administration is demonstrating its weakness and fickleness as Iran watches. Israel is faced with the consequences, while America will also pay an unknown price, but one that it will not evade paying. Iran regards Israel as “Little Satan” and America as the “Great Satan.” Iran will not stop its aggression against Israel. U.S. sanctions on an IDF unit only aid Iran.
“Netanyahu: Absurd for US to sanction IDF soldiers as they fight terror,” by Tovah Lazaroff, Jerusalem Post, April 21, 2024:
“At a time when our soldiers are fighting terrorist monsters, the intention to sanction a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low,” Netanyahu wrote in a post on "X."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the United States for its plans to issue its first-ever sanctions against IDF units over alleged human rights violations, starting with the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which in the past has been accused of mistreating Palestinians.
Among the more high-profile incidents was the death of Palestinian American Omar As’ad, 80, of a heart attack in January 2022 after he had been detained, blindfolded, gagged, and handcuffed by that battalion in the West Bank.
Netanyahu calls for the government to act against move “I will fight this with all my powers,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli public in a video address.
Minister Benny Gantz, who is a former defense minister and IDF chief of staff, spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday and asked him to rescind the decision, which, he warned, “will harm Israel’s international legitimacy during the time of war.”…
White House slammed for leaking Netanyahu call details
Netanyahu: ‘No force in the world will stop us’ from ‘eliminating’ Hamas
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to the total destruction of Hamas, and declared that no force on earth will stop that goal. He was addressing new IDF recruits at the the IDF Induction Base at Tel Hashomer. (Courtesy: Israel Government Press Office)
This is a very significant day in your life and in the life of the state. The state exists thanks to our ability to defend ourselves. These attacks have not ceased since we established the state; this has been the fate of the Jewish people for hundreds and even thousands of years. What has changed with the establishment of the state is our ability to repel these attacks, sometimes at a very heavy cost, but with a strength that the entire world understands, we may not always like, but we know that without it we would not exist.
This is what you are doing here today in the various units, brigades and corps. We are, in effect, defending the existence of our state, which is also the personal existence of each and every one of you, your families, your friends and also the coming generations. This is no exaggeration or lofty words. These are very precise words; this is what will determine if our state exists.
The most prominent thing that we have seen in the six months since the outbreak of the war is the immense increase in the motivation of the young people, the desire to enlist, defend and fight, both young men and young women. We have never seen such a thing. This attests to the power of life in our people. I think that you deserve all praise as well as the understanding that you are – in effect – doing something of historic significance.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu added, about the fighting in the Gaza Strip [translated from Hebrew]:
“We will complete the elimination of Hamas’s battalions, including in Rafah. No force in the world will stop us. There are many forces trying to do this but it will not help because this enemy, after what it has done, will not do this again. Nor will it exist. We are committed to doing this, and each one of you now, at this base, will contribute in one way or another to completing the goal. That must be it. After doing such a thing to our country – it will not be done any more.
We have three objectives: One – to return our hostages, all of the field observers, and not just them, but everyone together. We will return them all. The second objective: Eliminating Hamas. The third objective: To ensure that Gaza will never again constitute a threat to Israel.
There is a fourth objective: Hamas is part of Iran’s axis of evil, which aims to destroy us. And when we defeat Hamas, it is not only defeating Hamas – it is defeating the axis. Everyone in the Middle East and beyond is sitting in the stands and watching who will win on this field, Israel or Iran and its proxies. You already know who will win. Good luck!”
Also participating in the visit were the Prime Minister’s Chief-of-Staff, the Prime Minister’s Military Secretary, the Head of the IDF Personnel Branch, the commander of the Border Defense School and additional senior IDF officers.
Meanwhile, Israel is doing all it can to protect civilian lives in Rafah, contrary to Hamas, which is using civilians as human shields. But the world does not pressure Hamas to surrender; it pressures Israel to abandon its necessary war for the benefit of Hamas.
“Israel purchases 40,000 tents for Rafah evacuation, invasion,” by Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, April 9, 2024:
Israel and the US have been debating whether the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from Rafah would take one or four months.
The Defense Ministry has purchased 40,000 tents to better enable the evacuation and prepare for an invitation to Rafah in the relatively near future.
Although the ministry acknowledged to the Jerusalem Post that 40,000 tents would not be enough for all 1.4 million Palestinian civilians currently in Rafah, it is still considered a significant step forward.
There was no official announcement. The leak of the purchase could also be a nod to the US, being transparent about the process to prepare for the evacuation in advance after months in which Washington complained that Israel’s preparations for evacuating civilians were both too secretive, and insufficient.…
Biden Pressures Netanyahu For Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza
Netanyahu cancels advisers’ visit to DC after Biden regime allows UN ceasefire resolution to pass
SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/03/netanyahu-cancels-advisers-visit-to-dc-after-biden-regime-allows-un-ceasefire-resolution-to-pass; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:
The Biden regime’s betrayal of Israel is complete. In its craven desire to retain Muslim and far-left votes after repeated threats, the regime has allowed the UN to pass a resolution demanding that Israel implement a ceasefire in Gaza. A ceasefire in Gaza would allow Hamas to survive. It would amount to a massive Israeli defeat and lead to the ultimate demise of the Jewish state. The regime’s support for jihad against Israel is now out in the open.
Statement by @IsraeliPM Netanyahu on the UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution:
“The United States has abandoned its policy in the UN today. Just a few days ago, it supported a Security Council resolution that linked a call for a ceasefire to the release of hostages.
China and Russia… pic.twitter.com/jAuE9bKkpF
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) March 25, 2024
“Israel cancels Washington visit after US allows UN Gaza ceasefire resolution to pass,” by , , Lauren Izso and , CNN, March 25, 2024:
The US decision to abstain on the vote prompted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a scheduled trip to the US by two of his top advisers, two Israeli officials said.
The US had previously vetoed similar resolutions calling for a ceasefire. Its position evolved last week when on Friday it put forward a ceasefire resolution tied to the release of hostages. That resolution fell when it was vetoed by Russia and China. The US abstention on Monday’s vote allowed the latest resolution to pass, when the other 14 members of the 15-strong council voted yes.
The US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that while the latest resolution included edits requested by the US, Washington could not vote yes because it “did not agree with everything.”
“A ceasefire could have come about months ago if Hamas had been willing to release hostages,” the ambassador said, calling on member states and the UNSC to demand that Hamas “accepts the deal on the table.”
“Any ceasefire must come with the release of all hostages,” she added.
The resolution, put forward by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said a failure to implement the resolution would be “unforgivable.”
“The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable,” Guterres wrote on X, previously known as Twitter….
Hamas Issues Counter-Proposal Hostage And Ceasefire Deal, Netanyahu Says Deal Is ‘Absurd’
Hamas Issues Counter-Proposal Hostage and Ceasefire Deal, Netanyahu Says Deal Is 'Absurd'
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
1:00 PM – Friday, March 15, 2024
In continuing negotiations over a temporary truce and hostage agreement in its conflict with Israel, Hamas has presented a formal counter-proposal, raising hopes for the first time in weeks that more Israelis kidnapped on October 7th may be freed and that hostilities may end.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the terror group was making “ridiculous demands” during a meeting with the families of roughly 20 captives on Thursday night, raising doubts about whether the negotiations would move forward.
“For the first time, we can envision embracing them again,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group created to lobby for the captives. “Please grant us this right.”
Following weeks of contentious negotiations during which both Israeli and Hamas leaders voiced pessimism about finding common ground, a counter-proposal was made.
The conditions that Hamas has set forth call for the release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners from Israeli jails, including 100 who have been found guilty of murder or multiple murders, in exchange for the release of innocent hostages, which include women, children, the elderly, and the sick.
According to the proposal, Israel would have to agree to a long-term ceasefire, evacuate Gaza, and free all of the Palestinian security prisoners it is holding in order to free the remaining male hostages, whom Hamas views as “freedom fighters,” regardless of whether they were taken while serving in the armed forces.
At a meeting of his war cabinet on Friday, Netanyahu rejected the parameters, calling them “still absurd.” In addition, he declared that the Israeli army will keep getting ready for an impending invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that has become a haven for about 1.5 million Palestinians. However, according to Israeli officials, many of whom are Hamas leaders and members.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Biden, Netanyahu Clash On Post-War Plans
Hamas top dog says there’s ‘no chance’ it will release Israeli hostages after Netanyahu rejects ‘peace’ deal
SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/01/hamas-top-dog-says-theres-no-chance-it-will-release-israeli-hostages-after-netanyahu-rejects-peace-deal#; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:
The deal would have left Hamas intact and able to wage jihad against Israel another day. The international Left, avid to destroy Israel, will continue to push for this.
“Hamas says there is ‘no chance’ for release of hostages after Netanyahu rejects deal,” by Yaron Steinbuch, New York Post, January 22, 2024:
The approximately 130 Israelis still being held hostage by Hamas will never be freed, a militant leader said after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected the terror group’s conditions to end the war.
“In exchange for the release of our hostages, Hamas demands the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of all the murderers and rapists,” Netanyahu stated in a video address.
“And leaving Hamas intact. I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas,” he added.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, countered by saying Netanyahu’s refusal to end the military offensive in the territory “means there is no chance for the return of the [Israeli] captives” who were abducted in the group’s Oct. 7 terror attack.
Under a deal brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt in late November, more than 100 of the estimated 240 hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 were freed in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure to secure the release the 136 hostages who remain in Gaza.
Relatives of the hostages demanded action during a protest outside his residence late Sunday.
“We need the government to now fix the problem that they have created and get these hostages home immediately,” said Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, according to Reuters….
Netanyahu says ‘we’re attacking Iran directly,’ vows to ‘prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons’
SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/01/netanyahu-were-attacking-iran-directly-vows-to-prevent-iran-from-attaining-nuclear-weapons#; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:
A direct and open confrontation with Iran has been simmering as Israel’s war on Hamas continues. American officials have also stated what Netanyahu said, that Iran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Last June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said that Iran will not be allowed to obtain nukes.
Iran has had a central role in Israel’s war with Hamas through its proxies: Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as Hizballah and the Houthis.
“Netanyahu: We’re attacking Iran directly,” by Lazar Berman, Jerusalem Post, January 18, 2024:
Netanyahu is asked if he feels he has anything to apologize for regarding the events surrounding October 7. He says the way the question was framed is designed “to stain” him.
“Nobody is immune from mistakes, including me,” he says, but then again criticizes the reporter. “I’ll continue to fight Hamas, and you’ll continue to fight me,” he says. “That’s the division of work,” he says, between him and the TV studios.
In response to another reporter, who asks why Israel is sufficing with attacks on Iran’s proxies rather than attacking Iran directly, Netanyahu responds, “Who says we aren’t attacking Iran? We are attacking Iran.”
“Iran has further phases to go through that I won’t detail” on the path to nuclear weapons,” he says. “I am obligated as the prime minister of Israel to do everything to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.”
Asked about the progress of the war, he says 16 or 17 of Hamas’s 24 battalions have been destroyed. “After that, there is the [phase] of clearing the territory [of remaining gunmen]. The first action is usually shorter, and the second usually takes longer.”
He derides the talk of holding elections at a time of war — with campaigns that would “divide the people rather than uniting the people… Are people seriously suggesting elections?”….
Biden hits Netanyahu for not wanting ‘two-state solution,’ says he must ‘strengthen and change’ Israeli government
REPUBLISHED, SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2023/12/biden-hits-netanyahu-for-not-wanting-two-state-solution-says-he-must-strengthen-and-change-israeli-government
As I’ve predicted many times, Biden is moving toward abandoning Israel in order to appease his far-Left pro-jihad base. A two-state solution would work exactly the same way the Gaza withdrawal of 2005 worked: it will be trumpeted as heralding a new age of peace, but then the new state will just become a new jihad base for more attacks against what is left of Israel.
As I’ve predicted many times, Biden is moving toward abandoning Israel in order to appease his far-Left pro-jihad base. A two-state solution would work exactly the same way the Gaza withdrawal of 2005 worked: it will be trumpeted as heralding a new age of peace, but then the new state will just become a new jihad base for more attacks against what is left of Israel.
