I apologize for the delay in getting this out, but there were some Internet transmission issues getting in the way.
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On Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly called out Prime Minister Netanyahu in a press conference for failing to come up with a plan for the day after we defeat Hamas. He said that Netanyahu must:
“…make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza strip, and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza strip will be raised immediately.”
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/05/15/israels-defense-minister-calls-for-gaza-plan/
Who asked him? His intervention at this point is not only inappropriate when he should be focused exclusively on winning the war with Hamas, it has the effect of weakening Israel in the public arena. The fact that he did not bring his concerns to the prime minister privately speaks volumes about his intentions.
I note, and I am confident that it is no accident, that this charge came just two days after Gallant had received a phone call from Antony Blinken.
I also note that back in January, Gallant himself proposed a plan for the day after that included “ongoing Israeli military control.” And so?
The need for ongoing military control is fairly well understood: Until there is no further concern about Hamas regrouping militarily, an IDF presence will be required.
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What this is about, of course, is the US push to install the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Gallant – who on this matter is a useful idiot, whatever he imagines he is doing – is now calling for Palestinian administration of Gaza. Netanyahu understands this clearly, and quickly responded:
“I am not willing to exchange Hamastan for Fatahstan. The first condition for the day after is to eliminate Hamas and do it without excuses.” Fatahstan refers to Fatah, the predominant faction of the Palestinian Authority.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/390008
His strong stance on this issue must be applauded as he is getting heavy pressure from the Biden administration. May he stay strong.
The PA, says Bibi, “supports terrorism, teaches terrorism and funds terrorism.”
The Biden administration, and no one in that administration more than Antony Blinken, ignores the deep terrorist connections. All announced “reforms” are merely cosmetic. This raises ire big time.
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Oh, and there’s more. Perhaps this is the greatest source of ire of all: The international community is refusing to cooperate in solving problems in Gaza.
For all of the talk about concern for the civilians, it is very obvious that the first concern is making matters difficult for Israel. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.
Consider, by way of example:
Israel had hoped the UAE would assist in civilian administration after the war. The UAE refused.
Egypt has closed the Rafah crossing between Gaza and the Sinai, from its side, ostensibly concerned about civilians flooding into the Sinai. Israel asked that Egypt cooperate in arranging for the crossing to be opened in order to allow humanitarian aid to come into Gaza. The Egyptians refused, thereby demonstrating their great concern for the civilians. They say the crossing must be administered only by Palestinians.
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I have written several times about the fact that Egypt’s refusal to let civilians into the Sinai (except for those with the wherewithal to pay up to $10,000 for the privilege of crossing over) contravenes international humanitarian law and greatly complicates the situation Israel must deal with.
Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has even threated (it is just a threat) to abrogate Egypt’s treaty with Israel if Gazan civilians were to flood into the Sinai.
Elliot Kaufman, writing in the World Street Journal makes another significant point here (emphasis added):
“When you hear that Gazans are ‘trapped,’ you are encountering a Biden policy choice. It didn’t have to be this way. Gaza’s Rafah borders Egypt, a U.S. ally that relies on $1.3 billion in U.S. aid a year. In contravention of international law, Egypt has sealed its border to Gazan refugees next door. Mr. Biden hasn’t lifted a finger to stop it.
“On the contrary, the administration embraced Egypt’s position early on and demanded that Israel not ‘displace’ civilians into Egypt. ‘No forcible displacement’ became Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s absurd mantra as Gazans were massing at the border and begging to be allowed out.
“Along with the United Nations and the NGO complex, Mr. Biden provided Egypt cover as it denied Gazans their human right to flee war. As the Journal’s editorial board noted, ‘Only when it can damage Israel does it become the liberal position to close the borders and keep refugees penned in a war zone.’
“…. As one senior Israeli official put it to me, ‘It isn’t over the killing of Palestinians that Egypt threatened to rip up the peace treaty, but over us asking them to save Palestinian lives.’”
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There has been severe criticism of Gallant for his behavior, and calls within the coalition and beyond for his dismissal.
See Ruthie Blum on this: “Gallant, go home”: https://www.jns.org/gallant-go-home/
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According to JNS, citing , Kan News, “The Israeli government is set to discuss a proposal under which its military would administer the Gaza Strip for six months to a year following the war…
“The plan under consideration calls for civilian rule through the IDF Civil Administration and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, with local Arab companies providing services.”
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-slams-gallant-demand-for-palestinian-control-of-gaza/
There are reports that Netanyahu will be meeting with Gallant. It does not appear likely that he will be firing the defense minister, but let’s see. There are those who believe that if Gallant continues in the same vein, Netanyahu will have no choice but to do so.
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While all of this is happening, we are moving farther into Rafah and making progress. I will follow with more on this after Shabbat.
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Keep praying to Heaven for Israel. Pray for the strength and wisdom of our leaders, for the safety of our soldiers, and for the rescue of our hostages. Pray with a heart filled with hope.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
