Amir Tibon
Haaretz / July 5, 2023
The message from the Western countries to Israel was as follows: As long as the operation is defined as short and focused, it will not provoke significant international criticism, but if the operation continues for a third day – that will change.
On Monday evening, half a day after the Israel Defense Forces began their operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the U.S. Embassy’s 4th of July event in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides were photographed smiling, with both giving speeches touching on the close U.S.-Israel relationship. Monday’s events in Jenin were not mentioned at all. This was a clear sign of the Biden administration’s support for Israel on the first day of fighting in the city from which a series of attacks on Israelis have emanated in recent months.
The events in Jenin did not catch the Biden administration by surprise: Israel made sure to inform the U.S. in advance of its intent to launch the Jenin operation.
Despite the images from the refugee camp showing extensive destruction and civilian deaths, most European countries also failed to condemn Israel within the first 24 hours. One European diplomat said Israel had conveyed that this would be a short, limited operation specifically targeting terrorist cells in the city. A similar message was also conveyed in advance to the American government.
Yesterday, on the other hand, announcements of “deep concern” with the situation in Jenin and Israel’s responsibility, as the occupying power, to avoid harming innocent civilians began emerging from France, Germany and other countries – as did condemnations of the ramming and stabbing attack that occurred in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The U.S., in the midst of July 4th celebrations, has not yet officially commented on the events.
The message from the Western countries to Israel is as follows: As long as the operation is defined as short and focused, it will not provoke significant international criticism, but if the operation continues for a third day – that will change.
The UN’s special envoy for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, warned that the current escalation is “very dangerous” and comes after “months of tension.” He defined the fighting in Jenin as “a reminder that the situation throughout the occupied West Bank is unpredictable and subject to radical changes.” Jordan and Egypt also published messages in which they warned of a further deterioration in the situation.
The main concern among Israel’s allies in the West and its friends in the Arab world is that the short operation promised to them by Israel will get out of control and turn into a more complex event that could also result in confrontation with the Gaza Strip.
“The Israelis told us that they do not estimate that there will be fighting with Gaza as well, and for the first two days, the situation there remains quiet,” said the European diplomat who spoke to Haaretz.
He added that “we hope that it is really coming to an end, but if not, Israel will have to face significant international criticism. Uneasy pictures have been coming out since Monday night.”
