Israel’s Ben-Gvir threatens to dismantle Palestinian Authority if US imposes sanctions
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has warned that if the US imposes sanctions on ultranationalist ministers including himself, they would respond by “completely dismantling the Palestinian Authority, including all its institutions and economy”, Israeli media has reported.
Reports suggest the Biden administration has been considering imposing sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in response to their policy of expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank.
“The very act of imposing sanctions on Israeli citizens by the American administration, which has already begun, constitutes a severe violation of Israeli sovereignty,” Ben-Gvir said, according to the Jerusalem Post.
He added that the US was seeking to “impose sanctions on Israeli leaders who ‘sinned’ by demanding a more decisive war against terrorism”.
Sanctions do not violate sovereignty... Unless Ben-Gvir considers the USA to fall under Israeli sovereignty...
Israeli antigovernment protesters rally in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in the cities of Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem for a weekly demonstration calling on Netanyahu’s government to bring back the captives held in Gaza.
In Jerusalem, protesters carried a banner that said, “No flight without a deal”, urging Netanyahu to secure an agreement with Hamas before his departure to the US.
“Only an end to the war will bring the hostages home,” Mai Alvini-Peri, the grandson of slain captive Haim Peri, was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.
“An end to the war will also bring an end to the government,” he added. “So you all can understand why this war is continuing so long, and why there still isn’t a hostage deal.”
Protesters hold placards and the Israeli flag as they gather during an antigovernment rally in Tel Aviv on July 20
Brother of Israeli captive turns down trip to Washington with Netanyahu
Carmen Gat’s brother told Israel’s Ynet broadcaster that he will not accompany Netanyahu on his trip to Washington, DC, because the prime minister is blocking progress on a US-proposed ceasefire deal.
“Netanyahu invited me on the flight and at first, I thought it could help, that we would be able to impact things,” Alon Gat told Ynet.
“I believed that on the flight, he would announce that he was signing the deal. But as the deadline approached, we realised that this wasn’t going to happen, and instead, the opposite is true – he is hindering progress and isn’t making any decisions.”
According to Israeli media, families of several captives will accompany Netanyahu on his trip to Washington, DC, where the Israeli prime minister is expected to address the US Congress.
