Settler violence exposes coalition differences, creates international problems

In a high-level security meeting Tuesday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Israel Security Agency head Ronen Bar discussed the recent Jewish settler violence. 

They discussed several recent verbal attacks on senior security officials in addition to the settler violence, which the security heads called “nationalist terrorism in every way.”

As the conversation heated up, with Gallant and Ben Gvir exchanging tense words, Netanyahu reportedly told the group: “We are losing legitimacy in the world.” 

Gallant told Ben Gvir, “You cannot say, ‘If the Arabs do it, we’re allowed to as well.’” 

Ben Gvir reportedly accused Gallant and Shin Bet head Bar of “hazing” him. 

He complained about an unequal response by the security establishment. 

“I've been hearing for a week from the heads of the security establishment about the severe violence of the settlers and that we must not surrender and capitulate to them. But I ask: Where has that determination gone when it comes to some of the Druze?”

A proposal was made during the discussion to issue a joint statement by several government and coalition representatives condemning violence and harm to innocent people, as well as harm to the status of military officers and soldiers. 

Ben Gvir reportedly did not agree to issue such a statement, and the meeting adjourned with no official decisions made. 

Netanyahu’s concern for international criticism may have been provoked by a call from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen shortly before the security meeting. 

Blinken posted a note on social media about the call, saying, “I spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to express our concern over the recent escalation of violence and condolences for the recent terrorist attack against Israelis.” 

Cohen posted a message of his own to social media, acknowledging the call. In the post, he said, “I told him that we condemn events in which citizens take the law into their own hands, but we will fervently fight against Palestinian terrorism and will do everything necessary to protect our citizens.” 

I spoke with the US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening. We discussed the expansion of the Abraham Accords and setting a date for the Negev Forum, with the participation of more countries that will join the circle of peace.
I told him that we condemn events in which… pic.twitter.com/qWy6chE7Ww

— אלי כהן | Eli Cohen (@elicoh1) June 27, 2023