Biden administration dramatically softens the sanctions it imposed on the seven Israelis from the Israel Defense Forces and makes it clear that they will be able to use their bank accounts.

Original article in Hebrew

  • @protist@mander.xyzEnglish
    21•3 months ago

    If I’m reading this correctly, this decision was made because Smotrich threatened to sever all Israeli banking relations with the Palestinian Authority, which since the PA depends on Israeli banks to function, would have ruined the Palestinian government in the West Bank. I don’t like that this is how it’s going down, but definitely see the rationale, and don’t think the Biden Admin is wrong to protect the PA. There’s plenty criticism to heap on the US for their relationship with Israel, but I don’t think this is one of them. The problem here is Smotrich and the Netanyahu government.

    • @Alsephina@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      55•3 months ago

      The PA is pretty much entirely controlled by the Israeli military now. It being shut down might actually allow orgs that actually serve Palestinian interests to take power.

      Regardless, this is obviously just an excuse to stop the sanctions. Israel is entirely dependent on the US and these “threats” are toothless. If Biden gave a fuck at all, he would simply threaten to cut off funding to Israel in return.

      • @protist@mander.xyzEnglish
        10•3 months ago

        The “might” in that sentence is doing some heavy lifting. I think the collapse of the PA would lead to worsening chaos in the West Bank, especially financially, and would directly harm Palestinians.

        • @Alsephina@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
          18•3 months ago

          Not at all. You can remove that first paragraph entirely and my point comes across just fine.

          • @protist@mander.xyzEnglish
            4•3 months ago

            There wasn’t a second paragraph when I responded lol.

            I still seriously disagree with you, a disruption of the Palestinian Authority would 100% be worse for the Palestinian people in the West Bank. Which “orgs” do you think are suddenly going to step in and be better?

    • @crusa187@lemmy.ml
      12•3 months ago

      This is just a little something to keep in mind the next time some Israeli tries to argue that “it’s not an occupation.”

      • @protist@mander.xyzEnglish
        2•3 months ago

        I think you misunderstand, Netanyahu and his allies want extremists in charge. They have spent the last two decades trying to delegitimize the PA because they are a moderate Palestinian government, and the same two decades propping up Hamas. When extremists are in charge, Netanyahu knows he can more easily justify killing Palestinians and taking Palestinian land

    • @rottingleaf@lemmy.zip
      5•3 months ago

      The problem here is Smotrich and the Netanyahu government.

      Can they just send a few killer drones after the two guys mentioned? It’s fair game, USA uses those outside of its territory, Israel uses those outside of its territory.

      Of course there’s going a shitfest of indignation from Israelis, but that’ll be in any situation which is not successful ethnic cleansing with no consequences.