GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman issued a decision Dec. 25 demanding that the head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, halt all forms of local political meetings and coordination with Palestinian officials. This decision was in response to the Dec. 23 UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlements.
Palestinian officials viewed the decision — which did not include security coordination given its importance to both Palestinians and Israelis — as media hype to address Israeli public opinion. The Israeli opposition has leveled harsh criticism against Benjamin Netanyahu's government for the UN resolution.