Smotrich's comments on the cuts to youth movements/Knesset channel
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is delaying a shipment of flour financed by the United States and preventing its transfer to the Gaza Strip because it is supposed to be distributed in the Gaza Strip by UNRWA, according to two senior Israeli and American officials.
Bezalel Smotrich/Reuven Castro
why is it important:
Senior American officials said that this is a violation of the commitment that Prime Minister Netanyahu gave to President Biden personally a few weeks ago and another reason for the president's great frustration with his Israeli counterpart.
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Another reason for the great frustration of the President of the United States.
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu/Government Press Office, Haim Tzach
In the news center:
The flour shipments to Gaza were an issue that arose at the highest levels between the United States and Israel over a month ago.
The War Cabinet and the Political-Security Cabinet approved the transfer of flour from Ashdod port to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
President Biden and American Secretary of State Lincoln already publicly thanked the Israeli government a few weeks ago for agreeing to help transfer the flour shipments to the Gaza Strip.
The delivery of the delayed flour is supposed to be distributed by UNRA. Amalah located in the central headquarters of the organization/spokesman for the IDF
Behind the Scenes:
Despite all the approvals, in recent weeks the flour shipments are still stuck in Ashdod port.
Senior Israeli and American officials said that the reason for this was Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The Minister of Finance, who is also responsible for customs, was informed that the shipping certificate states that the end user of the flour is the United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency - UNRWA, according to senior Israeli officials.
UNRA has faced intense international criticism in recent weeks due to Israeli claims that 12 of its employees were actively involved in the October 7 terrorist attack.
Senior Israeli and American officials said that Smotrich ordered customs not to release the flour shipment from Ashdod port as long as it is destined to reach UNRA.
Senior Israeli officials said that the coordinator of operations in the territories is now trying to change the destination of the shipment from UNRWA to the UN World Food Program so that Smotrich will lift the blockade.
No response has yet been received from Smotrich's office and the White House.
what are they saying
"Smotrich is delaying the delivery of the flour that Netanyahu promised us would go through. Ben Gvir is not preventing the blocking of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Who is running the affairs in Israel?", wondered an American official.
More on the same topic:
Bezalel Smotrich
Benjamin Netanyahu
Joe Biden
UNRA
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war