Israeli Envoy Christian Cantor Faces British Jewish Backlash Over West Bank Policy
Israeli Charge d'Affaires Christian Cantor faced criticism from the Board of Deputies of British Jews over West Bank violence. He warned of escalating tensions ahead of expected British sanctions.
Christian Cantor, the current Charge d'Affaires of the Israeli Embassy in London, faced sharp criticism during a plenary meeting of the Board of Deputies of British Jews over the Netanyahu government's failure to address settler violence in the West Bank.
Cantor acknowledged concerns regarding the level of enforcement by Israeli authorities but argued that the violence is "broader" and that Israelis also suffer from attacks. He noted that the required law enforcement is sometimes very difficult to implement on the ground, but emphasized that these concerns are regularly transmitted to Jerusalem with the hope that efforts will lead to a cessation of violence.
Sanctions and Diplomatic Escalation
Cantor addressed the upcoming British sanctions expected to be imposed on Israel in the coming days, warning of a potential deterioration in bilateral relations. According to him, Israel is expected to respond with counter-measures, raising fears of a cycle of mutual escalation. He also warned that certain political statements could create a dangerous atmosphere, encouraging extremists to target both the Jewish community in the UK and the embassy itself.
Referring to the "Israeli psyche" following the October 7, 2023 massacre, Cantor called on the Board members to show the same level of empathy toward Israel's struggle against settler violence as they show toward the British fight against antisemitism.
The Ambassador Vacancy in London
Finally, Cantor addressed the absence of an official Israeli ambassador in London since the departure of Tzipi Hotovely and the delay in appointing Tzachi Braverman due to ongoing police investigations against him in Israel. Cantor, who has previously served as an ambassador, stated that he understands the significance of lacking a permanent envoy but assured that all necessary diplomatic activities with British authorities continue as usual. He reiterated that Israel "hears" the criticism from the diaspora and relays it to Jerusalem.
