Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told the UK, Canada and France Tuesday morning during a meeting of the World Jewish Congress Assembly that Israel will not bow to international pressure when it comes to national security.
“I want to tell every country, mainly those who had colonial pasts – this is a proud nation, an independent nation, fighting for its existence. We will not accept any dictates from outside with regard to our national security!” Sa’ar declared.
The statement came after publication of a joint statement from “the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank,” warning Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza and “immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza … If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
It’s important to note that humanitarian aid had already entered Gaza, effective Monday, prior to the publication of the statement — and that Tuesday morning as the statement was being uploaded, the United Nations had already received authorization from Israel to allow approximately 100 additional humanitarian aid trucks into the enclave.
The consortium also ordered Israel to “halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state … We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”
The statement concluded with a commitment to “recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.”
France is set to co-chair a conference in New York on June 18 aimed at ensuring the implementation of the “two-state solution.”
The statement was posted on the websites of all three governments.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry followed up a few hours later with an extended response to Britain’s announcement that the UK will suspend free trade agreement talks with Israel and impose sanctions on Jews living in Judea and Samaria.
“Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government,” ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein noted pointedly.
“More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries. If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative,” he said.
“The sanctions against residents of Judea and Samaria are unjustified, and regrettable, especially at a time when Israel is mourning yet another victim of Palestinian terror; Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room. Doctors continue fighting for her newborn’s life in hospital,” Marmostein added.
“The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction,” he emphasized.
