Former senior Likud official David Levy, who retired from politics in the 16th Knesset after having served as Foreign Minister and other cabinet posts, is calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to ‘cool it’ regarding his response to the Security Council nations that voted against Israel and passed the resolution.
Levy spoke to Finance Minister (Kulanu) Moshe Kahlon during an event in the Jerusalem-based Begin Heritage Center on Sunday night the eve of the second day of Chanukah. He called on Kahlon to speak to the Prime Minister to bring an end to the “sanctions” he plans to impose on nations for passing UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
He explained just two weeks ago, he sang praises for how he was received in Africa and now we turn towards sanctions. Levy explained that there are other interests in play which Israel is aware of and these interests require statement, and not causing the collapse of all the accomplishments. He adds if you wish to lash out then do so at the giants too; China, France, Britain and the US, suggesting the Prime Minister slow down the rhetoric. Levy, who is 79, adds “I am sorry if I am out of place but I enjoyed much success with restoring relations with those nations that had refused in the past. I feel that at my age I am entitled to give a bit of advice”.
The Prime Minister this week instructed the Foreign Ministry to summon the ambassadors of all the Security Council nations that voted in favor of the resolution to censure them. They were summoned despite the Xmas vacation and that is why some of the ambassadors preferred to send subordinates.
Another step taken is Mr. Netanyahu instructed cabinet ministers not to meet with British PM Theresa May at the Davos Economic Summit which is to take place next month. He also instructed cabinet ministers not to meet with the nations that voted against Israel in the council and to limit flights to those countries in the immediate future too. This includes Britain, Spain, Russia, Japan and the Ukraine. He also canceled the planned visit in three weeks of the Senegal Foreign Minister to Israel and to cancel all aid programs to that country.
The Prime Minister’s Office denies ministers have been instructed to cancel meeting with PM May next month.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Don’t cool it. It’s high time to teach these guys a lesson. Including Obama. I think Israel has some leverage right now with the prospects of a trump administration that seems to be very sided towards Israel and those countries may not want to start up with trump right now.
ANON 21. These nations don’t need Israel. Israel cannot teach them a lesson even if it wanted to. Israel is not a superpower. It is a small politically weak country with a relatively small economy. Levy is right Netanyahu is harming Israel with his bombastic rhetoric and misguided policies.