Israel Considers Expelling British and European Representatives from Gaza Coordination Center
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israel is considering expelling British and possibly other European representatives from the US-led Gaza coordination center due to opposition over settlement policies. The move follows similar action against Dutch officials after the Netherlands passed a law banning trade with settlement products. The tensions stem from European criticism of Israeli construction plans in the West Bank.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel plans to expel British and possibly other European representatives from the Gaza coordination center.
- The center monitors the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, led by the US.
- Tensions rose after Britain, Germany, and Italy opposed Israel's E1 construction plan.
- Britain is also considering trade restrictions on settlement products.
- Israel expelled Dutch representatives following a Dutch law banning settlement product trade.
- The Dutch law takes effect in September, impacting local businesses stocking such products.
Israel is contemplating the expulsion of British representatives, and possibly officials from other European countries, from the US-led international coordination center overseeing Gaza's future post-conflict. This multinational command center was established to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States. The Financial Times reported that the Israeli government has been discussing this move in recent weeks, with similar actions considered against Italy and Germany.
The immediate cause of tension with London is a joint statement by Britain, Germany, and Italy opposing Israel's construction plan in the E1 area, warning it would divide the West Bank and hinder the establishment of a Palestinian state. Additionally, the British government is examining further trade restrictions on products from Israeli settlements.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the immediate expulsion of Dutch representatives from the international Gaza support center in Kiryat Gat, following advice from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision followed a series of anti-Israel measures by the Dutch government, including a law banning trade with products from Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, effective next month. The law's impact is already felt in the Netherlands, with a kosher supermarket in Amsterdam announcing it will no longer stock settlement products starting September 22, including brands like Achva, Abadi, and wines from Jordan, Hermon, and Gamla.
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