Gallant: Netanyahu's line "morally reprehensible"

The pressure increases further on Israel's beleaguered leader Benjamin Netanyahu. He strongly signals discontent with the UK's decision to halt part of its arms exports to Israel. But he is also deeply at odds with his own defense minister.

» Published:

Gallant: Netanyahu's line "morally reprehensible"
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/pool via AP/TT

Share this article

"Only days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK is pausing 30 arms permits for Israel", writes Netanyahu on his prime ministerial account on X.

He signals that the British have abandoned his country, with a formulation about the UK "honourably taking a stand against the Nazis" during World War II, while it is now Israel that "takes a stand against Hamas and Iran, the axis of terror".

The concern about the remaining hostages has become acute since six of them were found dead last weekend, but Netanyahu shows no signs of softening in the negotiations for a ceasefire.

"Time is up"

On the other hand, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant thinks the game plan has now changed. Israel can no longer insist on controlling the Philadelphi corridor between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, he believes. This despite the so-called security cabinet voting for it last week.

The decision was made on Thursday under the assumption that there was time. But if we want to get the hostages back alive, time is up, he is said to have said at a new ministerial meeting.

That we prioritize the Philadelphi corridor when the price is the hostages' lives is morally reprehensible.

Israel's most powerful friend, the USA, is also starting to lose patience. When President Joe Biden in Washington was asked if he thinks Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing enough to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza, the answer was brief and to the point:

No.

Wondering why

Even on Israel's streets, dissatisfaction with Netanyahu has reached a new level, with hundreds of thousands of sad and angry demonstrators in Tel Aviv and other cities. Many draw the conclusion that the government, with its constant new conditions and demands, is making the agreement on a ceasefire that the mediating countries, the USA, Egypt, and Qatar, are trying to achieve, impossible.

I wonder why Philadelphi is so important, says Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of 24-year-old Romi, who is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, to CNN.

It wasn't that important for eight months, she continues, referring to the fact that Israel has not made this demand earlier during the war.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Thousands Protest Trump Visit in London Urging Government to Show Backbone

Thousands Protest Trump Visit in London Urging Government to Show Backbone

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026