MK Rothman calls US sanctions against violent far-right activists ‘a modern blood libel’
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman calls foreign sanctions against “violent settlers” a “modern blood libel,” arguing that they damage both Israeli sovereignty and the “purity” of the Israeli justice system.
Sanctions are “a battle against anyone who is opposed to the US president’s policy in favor of two states, which is the absolute majority of the State of Israel’s citizens, as expressed in the Knesset plenum just two weeks ago,” says Rothman.
“The sanctions, as drawn up in the United States, cover 100% of Israel’s citizens, and theoretically they could be imposed on each and every one [of them] tomorrow morning.”
US sanctions have only targeted several Jewish settlers and far-right activists accused of repeated incidents of serious violence targeting Palestinians.
“Apparently, even the obvious needs to be stated: If someone sees themselves as a friend or an ally of the State of Israel, this doesn’t go together with imposing sanctions on Israeli citizens,” he continues, adding: “If sanctions are being imposed on those who employ violence, I would expect to see sanctions for what we saw on American campuses, in Jewish communities — for the threats against our brethren overseas.”
