Israeli army faces boycotts from authorities of northern settlements
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Israeli media reports that a meeting held by the Israeli chief of the Northern Command was boycotted by several mayors and heads of authorities of evacuated settlements.
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Fires burn around and in Kiryat Shmona following rockets launched by Hezbollah near the Palestinian-Lebanese border, in occupied al-Jalil Panhandle, occupied Palestine, on June 3, 2024 (AFP)
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Tuesday that the chief of the Northern Command in the Israeli occupation army faced sharp and embarrassing opposition during a meeting held a day earlier with heads of councils and settlements in northern occupied Palestine.
The purpose of the meeting was for Major General Uri Gordin to provide a "security briefing for the heads of authorities from the northern front line" and "inform them of the latest developments regarding the preemptive attack against Hezbollah" on Sunday. "An attack that was [limited] and did not lead to any change in the security situation in the north," according to Israeli media reporting on the developments on the Lebanese border.
However, only six of the heads of authorities of evacuated settlements attended, including the mayor of Metula David Azoulay, while others boycotted the meeting in protest of the government and IOF's conduct regarding the northern settlements.
Among those who rejected to join the meeting was the head of the Settlements Forum of the Conflict Line, Moshe Davidovich, who announced that "he will no longer be willing to participate in such meetings with the regional commander," describing the meeting as a "celebration of the Israeli army's operations in Lebanon," and stating, "As a citizen and as a head of authority, when I saw what was happening, I did not want to participate in this celebration."
The Israeli newspaper also quoted another source who participated in the meeting, expressing "sharp criticism and disappointment from the mayors regarding the security situation in the North."
This criticism stemmed from the intense frustration felt by northern settlers, who saw that the "Israeli army's preemptive strike against Hezbollah" aimed to "prevent [the Resistance] from attacking targets in central Israel, while [strikes] on the north has become normal and routine."
In an attempt to contain the anger, Yedioth Ahronoth indicated that the Israeli army's spokesperson is expected to issue an "update on the meeting later today, highlighting close cooperation, trust, and mutual respect," but it is "clear that there are many [fractures] in this relationship that everyone can observe."
Davidovich told Israeli media regarding the images expected to emerge from the meeting, "I don't see any value in empty victory photos," adding, "With all due respect to the army's achievements in the preemptive strike, my residents are collapsing here every day, socially, financially, and mentally. I want to see how the government cabinet and the Northern Command work to restore security. There is no need for shows, slogans, or briefings, but rather for actions."
