The Palestinian militant movement Hamas must be fought, according to Frans Timmermans. But a ground offensive results in too many civilian casualties, he says in the TV program Op1. He also warns Israel that it will have difficulty withdrawing once in Gaza. He calls on the country to think a few steps further.
After the brutal attack on a festival, which left more than 250 dead, Timmermans considers Hamas to be the terrorist group Islamic State. “The movement has forfeited any right to govern Gaza,” says the GroenLinks/PvdA leader. But he calls on Israel to exercise restraint and advocates ‘the long haul’. He would prefer to see targeted operations, for example by special forces.
He believes it is the duty of the international community to call on Israel to exercise restraint. Israel must also consider what the situation in Gaza should look like in a few months and then in a few years, and who will then govern the Gaza Strip.
The war between Israel and Hamas is leading to tensions within Timmermans’ party. Previously, the joint GroenLinks/PvdA faction supported a motion by the SGP that emphasizes Israel’s right of self-protection. The motion would leave room for Israel to not comply with international law of war. The joint faction withdrew its support. Timmermans is not concerned about tensions about the war in his party: ‘That discussion is raging throughout the Netherlands. I think it is a matter of strength that we as a party allow this internally.’
Timmermans strongly advocates Israel’s right to exist. ‘It is so important that there is a country in the world where Jews can go if they are not safe elsewhere.’ He finds the statement ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ unacceptable. That statement is seen as anti-Semitic because it suggests that the Jewish residents of Israel should be driven into the sea.
At the same time, he also speaks out for the right of a Palestinian state to exist, next to Israel. He also believes that criticism of Israel’s far-right government should be allowed, and that this would not constitute anti-Semitism. Timmermans criticizes the government’s encouragement of colonization in the West Bank. “There is every reason for criticism of Israel’s behavior.” (AP)
2023-10-21 08:32:10
#Live #IsraelHamas #war #Call #aid #Gaza #Strip #border #reopening #agency #employees #killed #Gaza
