Netanyahu’s Response: Unveiling the Israeli Stance Amidst Tensions Over U.S. Sanctions
Watan-In the midst of tension between Washington and Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the American sanctions imposed on four settlers due to violent acts in the West Bank.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office claimed that Israel is working against all law violators everywhere and argued that there is no need for exceptional measures in this regard.
The statement asserted that the absolute majority of Israeli settlers in the West Bank are law-abiding citizens, expressing implicit objection to the American decisions.
The U.S. State Department had announced the first set of sanctions under a new executive order targeting perpetrators of “acts of violence” in the West Bank. The new sanctions specifically targeted four settlers, preventing them from coming to the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “Israel must do more to stop violence against civilians in the West Bank and hold those responsible accountable.” He added, “The United States will continue to take actions to advance U.S. foreign policy goals, including the viability of a two-state solution, committed to the safety and security and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
These tensions come against the backdrop of strained relations between Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden, who faces domestic pressure due to the Israeli war on Gaza.
Biden’s Frustration with Netanyahu
It has been revealed that Biden is increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu due to the latter’s rejection of most of the U.S. administration’s requests regarding the war in Gaza.
Reports disclosed that Biden ended a tense call with Netanyahu, telling him “the call is over,” marking several weeks without communication between them, unlike the frequent contact during the first two months of the war.
#عاجل.. أول تعليق من نتنياهو على العقوبات الأمريكية ضد 4 إسرائيليين بسبب “أعمال العنف”https://t.co/EtpLR0yWug
— CNN بالعربية (@cnnarabic) February 1, 2024
Reasons for Biden’s Anger with Netanyahu
American reports revealed that Biden’s frustration stems from Netanyahu’s refusal of requests that represent priorities for Washington, such as the issue of tax revenues and failure to do enough to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Another reason includes Netanyahu’s reluctance to discuss post-war plans and his rejection of the U.S. plan for reform in this regard.
