Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington should adopt a tougher approach if Israelis re-elect the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oct. 27 general election.
Speaking on a television program on Thursday, Clinton suggested that Netanyahu may have ignored a warning from the United Arab Emirates about Hamas’ attack plans or considered using the scenario to strengthen his political position.
Clinton argued that such an approach would amount to a failure to protect the Israeli people and lead the country. Saying that she loves Israel, Clinton said she hates the Netanyahu government and its policies. Clinton also said she loves the United States but opposes the government of Donald Trump and its policies.
Clinton calls for tougher action in the West Bank
Clinton said she hoped a new government formed in a scenario without Netanyahu as prime minister would take tougher steps against settler violence in the West Bank, stressing that such acts should not go unpunished.
Warning that unchecked violence could spread throughout society, Clinton described settler violence as unjust and wrong for Palestinians and extremely dangerous for Israel.
Growing operations and attacks in the West Bank
Following the start of the war in Gaza, Israeli army operations and attacks by Israeli settlers increased in the West Bank. Palestinian officials recorded killings, arrests, home demolitions, attacks on mosques and vehicles, the destruction of agricultural land, restrictions on farmers’ access to their property and forced displacement.
Palestinians warn that Israeli operations and settler violence could pave the way for the formal annexation of the West Bank. They say these developments could also jeopardize the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions.
