Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responded Monday night to a joint threat from the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, who warned that Israel could face sanctions if it does not halt its war effort in Gaza.
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” he said.
Netanyahu stressed the origins of the current conflict, pointing directly to the brutal attack carried out on Israeli soil.
“The war began on October 7 when Palestinian terrorists stormed our borders, murdered 1,200 innocent people and abducted over 250 more innocents to the dungeons of Gaza,” he added.
He emphasized that Israel is aligned with the peace framework proposed by President Trump and called on European nations to do the same.
“Israel accepts President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same. The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t,” Netanyahu stated.
Framing the conflict in broader terms, Netanyahu concluded with a defiant message about Israel’s determination.“This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved,” he concluded.
His remarks came in response to a strongly worded joint statement issued by the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada earlier in the day, condemning Israel’s continued military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” the statement read.
The three leaders criticized Israel’s limited humanitarian response, saying the recent permission to allow minimal food aid into Gaza was “wholly inadequate,” and they urged Israel to “stop its military operations” and “immediately allow humanitarian aid” into the region.
They also insisted that Israel work with the United Nations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and called on Hamas to free all remaining hostages.
In the joint letter, the governments accused Israel of obstructing life-saving aid and warned that such actions “risk breaching International Humanitarian Law.”
Additionally, they condemned comments from Israeli officials that suggested the relocation of Gaza’s civilian population, asserting that “permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.”
“We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate,” the statement continued.
Although the trio reaffirmed that Israel was the victim of a “heinous attack” on October 7 and reiterated its right to defend itself, they argued that Israel’s current military operations were “wholly disproportionate.”
They cautioned that if Israel does not reverse course and lift humanitarian restrictions, “further concrete actions” will follow.
The statement also took aim at Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria, declaring such activities illegal and counterproductive to peace efforts. “We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions,” the leaders cautioned.
Expressing approval for mediation efforts being led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the joint declaration urged immediate progress toward a ceasefire, the safe return of all hostages, and a pathway toward achieving a two-state solution.
{Matzav.com}