US Offers Support On West Bank, But Anti-Gov't Protests Present Risks

Wires carrying comments from White House National Security Council spox stating that "We have seen the reports and are monitoring the situation [in the West Bank] closely," , and that "We support Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups." The action in the West Bank comes amid major anti-gov't demonstrations, unrelated to the military activity but instead opposing proposed judicial reforms.

• The Israeli assault on the West Bank is the largest in 20 years, with an estimated 1,000 Israeli Defense Force (IDF) troops involved.
• With major disruption at airports and ports taking place today, the risk for the gov't could come in the form of military reservists refusing to serve. BBG: "Hundreds of military reservists — medics, intelligence officers, combat soldiers and pilots — have signed letters asserting that they won’t feel obliged to show up for service if the judicial changes become law.“In light of the fact that the government has become ‘illegitimate’ — it is not worthy of our volunteering and obedience,” read one such letter from volunteers in the vital 8200 intelligence unit."
• PM Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself in a difficult position, with large sections of society demanding a total withdrawal of judicial reform proposals, while far-right coalition allies demand Israel's powerful judiciary has its wings clipped.