Israeli Ambassador to Netherlands Summoned for Rebuke Over Remarks
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Aviner Vapni, was summoned by the Foreign Ministry for a reprimand after criticizing Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Vapni also condemned settler violence, calling extremists "Jewish hooligans and terrorists." He defended Israel's actions in Gaza, stating the country did not start the war, and acknowledged the difficulty in explaining Israel's position internationally.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli Ambassador to Netherlands Tzvi Aviner Vapni reprimanded by Foreign Ministry.
- Vapni criticized Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir in a Dutch interview.
- Ambassador called extremist settlers "Jewish hooligans and terrorists" who must be jailed.
- Vapni stated Israel did not initiate the war in Gaza.
- This is the third time Vapni has been summoned by Dutch officials during his tenure.
Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Aviner Vapni, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a reprimand following sharp criticism he leveled against Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. In an interview with the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Vapni was asked about the approach to extremists in Israeli society. He stated that "among us there are people we would prefer were not with us," and did not shy away from including Smotrich and Ben-Gvir in this criticism, calling their statements "terrible and unacceptable."
Vapni also addressed the issue of "settler violence," distinguishing between the general settler population and a few thousand extremists, whom he described as "Jewish hooligans and terrorists" who should be imprisoned. He estimated that 80% of Israelis agree that this violence must stop, calling it "abhorrent."
Regarding the conflict in Gaza, Vapni asserted that Israel did not initiate the war and had no plans to invade Gaza. He acknowledged the difficulty in explaining Israel's position to the Dutch public, especially when images from the Strip generate anger and criticism. He understood the anger if Israel is perceived as deciding to destroy Palestinians immediately after October 7, 2023, but found it frustrating that the context is so hard to explain.
Vapni was appointed ambassador to the Netherlands over a year ago. During his tenure, he has previously been summoned twice by the Dutch Foreign Minister due to disagreements between the two countries.
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