Right-wing politician makes equivalent remarks about Israel's security personnel to Russia's Wagner paramilitary unit.
Here's a fresh take on the article:
In a blunt radio interview yesterday, Israeli National Missions Minister Orit Strock hit out at security officials, drawing parallels between their condemnation of settler attacks against Palestinians and the infamous Russian paramilitary group, Wagner.
Following a wave of settler violence over the weekend, Army Chief Herzi Halevi, Ronen Bar, director of the Shin Bet security service, and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai collectively termed the attacks "nationalist terrorism" in a statement.
"You bunch of Wagner wannabes? Who are you to lob moral lectures under the government's nose?" Strook retorted, referring to the Russian hired guns notoriously involved in a failed rebellion against President Vladimir Putin.
"They preach to us about morals? I'm no fan of these episodes, but 'nationalist terrorism' is a lousy label for them," Strook added, expressing dissatisfaction.
According to The Times of Israel, Strook later apologized for her words but reiterated her critique of the officials' harsh response.
Last week, unlawful settlers launched a brutal assault on Palestinian areas, under the firm watch of Israeli occupation forces. The attack resulted in the death of at least one Palestinian, injuries to many others, and the destruction of multiple Palestinian homes, cars, and olive trees.
So far, in 2022 alone, 180 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces, as per the Health Ministry. During the same period, 25 Israelis also met their ends.
Enrichment Insights: While researching, I found that Orit Strock is identified with activities supportive of Israeli settlements, such as participating in a ceremony to establish a ranger team for the South Hebron Hill farm outposts, part of a broader effort to strengthen settlements in the West Bank [4]. Furthermore, there's a general context of rising settler violence and land seizures from Palestinians, which may suggest a broader political climate where such actions are not actively criticized by the government [3][4]. However, the specific context or comparison to the Wagner Group weren't addressed in the sourced information.
- The Israeli National Missions Minister, Orit Strock, harshly criticized security officials in a radio interview yesterday.
- Strock referred to the security officials as "Wagner wannabes," drawing a parallel to the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner.
- In a statement, Army Chief Herzi Halevi, Ronen Bar, director of the Shin Bet security service, and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai termed settler attacks as "nationalist terrorism."
- Strook accused these officials of hypocrisy, suggesting they are not qualified to preach morals under the government's nose.
- The Times of Israel reported that Strook later apologized for her words but reiterated her critique of the officials' harsh response.
- Last week, unlawful settlers launched a brutal assault on Palestinian areas, causing the death of at least one Palestinian, injuries to many others, and the destruction of multiple homes, cars, and olive trees.
- In 2022 alone, 180 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces, according to the Health Ministry.
- During the same period, 25 Israelis also met their ends.
- Stroock's statements come amidst a broader context of rising settler violence and land seizures from Palestinians.
- The United Nations, general news outlets, and organizations focusing on war-and-conflicts, politics, crime-and-justice have reported extensively on these issues.
- The Israeli government's response to these incidents and its perceived lack of criticism of settler violence have been subjects of debate and controversy.
- The comparison of Israeli security officials to the Wagner Group, known for their involvement in conflict and controversy, further fuels this debate and stirs political discussions.
