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Levi said, ‘It is factually incorrect that the flow of aid (to Gaza) has not increased.’
By: Vered Weiss
Israel spokesman Eylon Levi was suspended after a diplomatic incident that erupted when he said UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remarks about humanitarian aid in Gaza were “factually incorrect.”
Eylon, who has courted controversy in the past, was given the position of government spokesman at the beginning of the war, and is often sought-after for his dynamic speaking style, particularly because he appeals to a global, English-speaking audience.
After meeting with War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz, David Cameron said, “I made clear the steps Israel must take to increase aid into Gaza, and the UK’s deep concern about the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah. These are tough but necessary conversations.”
Eylon Levi took issue with Cameron’s statements, and wrote on social media, “It is factually incorrect that the flow of aid has not increased.”
He explained, “Last week we had a record 277 trucks. Over the past 2 weeks, there have been nearly 50% MORE food trucks entering compared with before the war.”
“Israel’s crossings have excess capacity and if the UK wants more aid to enter Gaza, it should send it and we’ll make sure it gets in,” Levi concluded.
The British response to Levi’s remarks implied that offense was taken, and began, “As you probably know, the Foreign Minister discussed the humanitarian issue at length with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and Minister Dermer.”
The response continued, “These tweets surprised us, given the constructive dialogue between the countries, coming from a good company and ally.”
“We would be happy to understand if these tweets actually attack the position of Foreign Minister Cameron and if they reflect the official position of the Israeli government,” the statement concluded.
Channel 12 reports that, as a result of the incident Eylon Levi has been suspended from his position and it isn’t certain whether he will return.
In other news, World Israel News reported on Tuesday that yhe Israel Prize for civilian heroism will be awarded to a threesome who called themselves after the fact “Team Elchanan,” for their actions in saving over a hundred lives on October 7, Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced Tuesday.
“I had the honor to speak this morning with the family members of Menachem Kalmanson and Itiel Zohar and inform them of the award,” Kisch said. “I thanked them for their wonderful family and impressive heroes who are a beacon of heroism for all of us and a source of unity and national pride.
“We are a nation of heroes,” he continued. “The winners are part of a long line of heroes who risked their lives for the sake of the people and the homeland and we should never forget that.”
Brothers Elchanan and Menachem Kalmanson and their nephew Itiel jumped into a car from their homes in Otniel on the morning of the Hamas invasion after Elchanan got word of what was happening on the Gazan border due to his position as the village’s security head.
It didn’t matter to the father of five that it was the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah and the religious community was in the middle of prayers.
They drove nearly 80 kilometers (50 miles) to Kibbutz Be’eri, where IDF forces had already begun battling with the Hamas terrorists who had taken over the kibbutz.
