Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has warned Israel dangers dropping its “legal” and “moral” authority if it continues with its “killing rage” in Gaza, as he appealed to all sides to pursue a two-state resolution.
Writing within the Daily Telegraph, Mr Wallace insisted he was not calling for an instantaneous ceasefire within the area, however for Israel to “stop this crude and indiscriminate method of attack”.
If not, he mentioned the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities may “fuel the conflict for another 50 years” and “radicalise Muslim youth across the globe”.
Israel-Gaza warfare newest: Major Gaza street a ‘battlefield’ as preventing continues in south
Mr Netanyahu has been criticised over the nation’s techniques towards Hamas following the group’s terror assaults on 7 October, which Israel has mentioned noticed 1,200 folks killed and 240 extra taken hostage.
While Israel has been given assist by some to defend itself, there was rising concern over the impression on civilians within the Gaza Strip throughout its floor and air offensive.
Over the weekend, there was a shift in language from the UK authorities, with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron becoming a member of Germany in calling for a “sustainable ceasefire”, saying that “too many civilians have been killed”.
In his article, former Army officer Mr Wallace pointed to his expertise in the course of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, saying actions like internment confirmed “a disproportionate response by the state can serve as a terrorist organisation’s best recruiting sergeant”.
He mentioned he was “unequivocal” in his condemnation of Hamas, however whereas going after the organisation is “legitimate… obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not”.
Mr Wallace added: “We are entering a dangerous period now where Israel’s original legal authority of self-defence is being undermined by its own actions.
“It is making the error of dropping its ethical authority alongside its authorized one.”
Pointing to Israel’s prime minister, he wrote: “I am sure that the shame Benjamin Netanyahu feels for not foreseeing the 7 October attacks is deep, especially for someone who presented himself as a security hawk and tough guy.
“But maybe that disgrace is driving him to lose sight of the long run.
“Netanyahu’s mistake was to miss the attack in the first place. But if he thinks a killing rage will rectify matters, then he is very wrong. His methods will not solve this problem.
“In truth, I consider his techniques will gas the battle for one more 50 years. His actions are radicalising Muslim youth throughout the globe.”
Mr Wallace additionally criticised Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, who in an interview with Sky News final week dismissed a two-state resolution after the battle ends.
“She is wrong,” he wrote. “There must be. It has been the answer ever since the creation of modern-day Israel.”
But he claimed that after the IDF had withdrawn from Gaza, reasonable Palestinian voices calling for a two-state resolution would face “extinction” and “international sympathy will have expired”, with Israel “forced to exist in an even greater state of siege” as Hamas would nonetheless exist.
The former minister added: “The path to peace, just like in Northern Ireland, means we have to keep trying and do all we can to marginalise the extremes.
“With the Oslo accords, we got here near realising a two-state resolution. Now is the time to re-energise that course of.”
Source: information.sky.com”