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Former NSC chief Eiland warns Israel’s diplomatic approach is harming vital interests

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former National Security Council chief Giora Eiland warned that distrust of Israel’s government and confrontational rhetoric are damaging the country’s diplomatic position.
  • He said Israel should engage in dialogue, listen to other countries and distinguish between core security interests and issues where compromise is possible.
  • Eiland specifically criticized illegal actions by Jewish extremist settlers in the West Bank, saying they harm Israel’s international standing.

Former National Security Council chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland says Israel’s diplomatic conduct is putting vital interests at risk. In an interview with 103FM, he argued that world leaders do not trust the government and are listening closely to statements by ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Eiland said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s silence on those statements shapes how foreign governments understand Israel’s policy. “I agree that our diplomatic situation is problematic in almost every arena, including with the US,” he said. “One of Israel’s problems is that most world leaders simply do not believe the Israeli government on the one hand. On the other hand, they listen very clearly and loudly to what people like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir say.”

He also attacked what he described as a confrontational, condescending and forceful approach toward the international community. Israel, he said, should present its arguments and pursue dialogue instead of trying to prove that it is right and others are wrong. “I think this entire conduct is stupid, childish and dangerous,” Eiland said. “But when the approach is confrontational, condescending and forceful on every issue, the world moves away from us, and that is dangerous.”

I agree that our diplomatic situation is problematic in almost every arena, including with the US.

· Giora EilandEiland described the scope of Israel’s diplomatic difficulties in an interview with 103FM.

Eiland endorsed former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s call for Israel to listen and conduct different dialogues. He said the government must also rank its interests rather than treat every issue alike.

On Gaza, Eiland argued that Israel should remain firm on core security matters. In Judea and Samaria, he said, Israel must address issues that damage its international standing, including illegal activity by Jewish extremist settlers against Palestinians. He said foreign reporters have documented such activity and perceive the government as implicitly turning a blind eye.

I think this entire conduct is stupid, childish and dangerous.

· Giora EilandEiland criticized Israel’s confrontational approach toward the international community.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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