Right-wing Israeli ministers join thousands at event calling for the country's resettlement of Gaza
NBCJAN 25 2024
Israel Allies Criticize Minister’s Remarks That Gaza Starvation May be Justified
Above: Israeli Minister of finance and leader of National Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, speaks to the press during a party meeting on February 5, 2024 in Jerusalem. Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Israel’s Western allies have condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks that starvation in Gaza “might be just and moral” until Israeli hostages are freed.
On Monday, Smotrich also said "no one will allow us to starve 2M people." The UK, Germany, and Egypt condemned the remarks, with the EU calling it “beyond ignominious.”
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry now wants Smotrich included in the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings, under which arrest warrants have been sought for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant. However, top foreign military officials have pushed for the ICC to reject the pre-existing warrants, calling the allegations baseless.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US and its allies have continued to call for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and for Israel to investigate possible abuses committed by its forces. Smotrich represents the fringe of Israeli society and his remarks do not speak for all Israelis.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Smotrich's genocidal rhetoric only demonstrates how mainstream such sentiments have become in Israeli society. Its a bare minimum that Western nations condemn these comments, as they have done so little to prevent the practices which Smotrich has advocated.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
The Controversies
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
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