Israel bars European critics from US-led Gaza coordination center
Israel expelled Dutch and Spanish representatives from the facility and is reportedly considering similar measures against officials from Britain and other European countries
JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel has begun restricting the participation of European countries critical of its policies at a US-led civil-military coordination center established to support ceasefire and humanitarian operations in Gaza, according to Israeli media and officials.
The moves have raised concerns that Israel is using access to the facility to pressure governments that have opposed its policies toward the occupied Palestinian territories, including its expansion of illegal settlements.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the establishment of the International Gaza Support Center (IGSC) in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat in October.
The facility was created to coordinate stabilization efforts in Gaza, oversee implementation of the ceasefire and help facilitate humanitarian assistance. Its operations floor allows personnel from participating countries to monitor developments in Gaza in real time.
The center includes representatives from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Britain, the US, Israel, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Greece.
Israel has increasingly moved to limit participation by officials from countries whose governments have taken positions critical of its policies.
In April, Madrid’s representatives were removed from the center after Spain criticized Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
On Tuesday, Israel also ordered Dutch representatives to leave.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry attributed the decision to what it called a “wave of anti-Israel policy” by the Dutch government.
Among the measures cited by the ministry was legislation in the Netherlands prohibiting trade in Israeli products originating in the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The law is scheduled to enter into force next month.
Britain could be next
Israeli officials are reportedly considering extending the measures to other European countries.
The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday that Israel is weighing the removal of British officials from the Kiryat Gat facility, along with representatives from potentially other European countries.
The newspaper, citing unnamed Israeli officials, said the proposal was being considered because of what they described as Britain’s conduct in recent months.
Britain has the second-largest delegation at the center after the US, and a British official serves as its deputy commander, according to the report.
A British government spokesperson told the newspaper that London remains committed to implementing the 20-Point Plan for Gaza and improving conditions on the ground.
“At the request of the United States and the Board of Peace,” the spokesperson said, Britain would continue its work at the center alongside the US, Israel, international partners and UN agencies in support of UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
Removing Britain or other participating countries, the spokesperson added, would weaken those joint efforts.
The Jerusalem Post also reported that Germany and Italy could face similar measures, although an unnamed Israeli official denied that those countries were being considered for expulsion.
The newspaper further reported that more than 100 former French and British diplomats had signed an open letter accusing Israel of “systematically destroying Gaza and its population.”
The letter followed a move by 11 countries, including Britain and France, to condemn Israeli tenders for housing units in the E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem.
The countries called the project “unacceptable.” Britain separately announced that it would prepare targeted sanctions against individuals involved in illegal settlement expansion.
Growing European criticism
Britain and France both recognized Palestine as an independent state last year, prompting strong condemnation from the Israeli government.
Washington has yet to publicly comment on Israel’s removal of foreign representatives from the coordination center or reports that additional countries could be excluded.
Foreign officials participating in the facility must hold residency permits issued by Israeli authorities to remain in the country.
Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories has drawn broad international condemnation, with critics warning that the policy further undermines prospects for Palestinian statehood and a lasting political settlement.
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