Israeli peace group calls for sanctions against military commander over settler activity in Jericho

The Israeli organisation Combatants for Peace has urged several Western governments to impose personal sanctions on Major General Avi Bluth, commander of the Israeli military’s Central Command, over his involvement in facilitating the entry of Israeli settler families into homes near Jericho in the occupied West Bank.

Through attorney Eitay Mack, the organisation sent letters to British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, requesting urgent sanctions against Bluth.

Mack disclosed the appeal in a post on X, outlining the organisation’s concerns that the commander’s role in the settlers’ entry into properties reportedly purchased on the outskirts of Jericho.

Citing reports by Israeli newspapers Haaretz and The Times of Israel, which referred to security sources, Combatants for Peace said Bluth had advance knowledge of plans by activists affiliated with the Nachala settlement movement, led by Daniella Weiss, to enter the properties.

According to the letter, Bluth held discussions with settler leaders before the families entered the homes and allegedly requested that military commanders in the field not be informed of the plan until the families had already established themselves inside.

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The sanctions request drew criticism from Shai Glick, director-general of the Israeli organization Btsalmo, who described the initiative as “a concerning crossing of a moral red line and hypocrisy in every sense of the word.”

Glick criticised Combatants for Peace for seeking sanctions against Israeli military officers while receiving substantial financial support from foreign governments and institutions, including Germany and the European Union.

He argued that Bluth was implementing the policies of Israel’s political leadership and carrying out his responsibility to safeguard national security.

Glick called on the Israeli government and security establishment to provide “full and absolute support” to the Central Command commander and to take measures against organisations he accused of operating on behalf of foreign states.

The appeal reflects disagreements among Israeli organisations over military involvement in settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and efforts to seek international accountability for Israeli military officials.

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