A prominent Israeli government spokesman has been suspended for controversial comments he made in response to David Cameron’s warnings about aid to Gaza.
In a now-deleted post on
According to Israeli TV Channel 12, the British Foreign Office subsequently escalated the issue and asked whether the statement by the Israeli authority spokesperson reflected Israel’s official position.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Mr Levy, who was born and raised in London, had been suspended but did not provide a reason.
It was unclear whether the move was related to the conflict with Cameron.Sarah Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Attempts to oust Mr Levy due to his past political activities.
Before the Hamas attack on 7 October triggered the war in Gaza, Mr Levy had been involved in protests against judicial reforms introduced by the Israeli government.
Claim: Rapid increase in aid flows into Gaza
Responding to Cameron’s comments, Levy claimed that “it is factually incorrect to suggest that aid flows have not increased. “Last week we had a record 277 trucks. In the past two weeks, the number of food trucks entering has increased by nearly 50% compared to before the war.
“Israel’s crossings have excess capacity and if the UK wants more aid to come into Gaza it should send it and we will make sure it gets in.”
Reality: Aid to Gaza is dangerous
The supply of aid to Gaza has become a major international humanitarian issue, with the United Nations recently warning that famine in the Strip is “almost inevitable” and that at least 576,000 people face severe food insecurity.
While many food trucks may be entering Gaza, delivering aid to one of the most densely populated areas on earth is extremely dangerous for both those delivering and waiting for packages.
In February, Israeli forces opened fire on a group of Palestinians approaching an aid truck in Gaza, killing more than 100 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel blamed the deaths on a stampede and said people were trampled and others shot for threatening troops.
Another 29 people were killed in Israeli attacks earlier this month while waiting for help. Hamas has long claimed that Israeli authorities use hunger “as a weapon.”
Claim: Israel allows aid faster than UN distributes it
Cameron said that while the UK supported Israel’s “right to self-defence” it had a legal responsibility to ensure civilians received assistance.
exist Separate post on TuesdayMr Levy claimed: “Israel is sending aid to Gaza faster than the UN can distribute it, and UN officials are covering up this failure by blaming Israel for not letting the aid in. It’s that simple.”
REALITY: International agencies accuse Israel of blocking aid
Last Thursday, Oxfam accused Israel of trying to “systematically and deliberately prevent and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response.”
Oxfam highlights how “Unreasonably inefficient” inspection rules This means rescue trucks entering the enclave may have to wait in line for up to 20 days.
The international charity also pointed to the Israeli authorities’ policies surrounding “dual-use” items – items that could theoretically also be used for military purposes. These may include backup generators and flares, for example.
Alicia Kearns MP, Chair of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee, Said Mr Levy’s statement was “contrary” Information she received from the British Government, the Egyptian Government and the United Nations.
Claim: Israel allows unlimited amounts of aid, but Hamas blocks it
In a further post, Levy said hundreds of thousands of tons of aid had entered Gaza, writing: “Israel is providing Gaza civilians with unlimited amounts of food, water, medicine and housing equipment. Hamas is hijacking and hoarding aid Supplies.”
Reality: UN predicts famine in May
On October 9, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant ordered a “total siege of the Gaza Strip” and stated that “there will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything will be shut down.” Later that month, then-Energy Minister Israel Katz said he opposed opening the blockade, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said no aid should enter Gaza while Hamas was holding hostages.
Israel began allowing aid in on October 21, but some human rights groups and legal experts say the statements and subsequent Israeli military operations that have led to a hunger crisis show hunger is being used as a weapon of war.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said this week that a U.N. report predicting famine between now and May was a “shocking indictment of the conditions of civilians on the ground.”
He added: “This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger anywhere and at any time ever recorded in the Integrated Food Security Classification System.
“This is a completely man-made disaster and the report makes it clear that it can be stopped.” He said this showed the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
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