Germany rebukes Ben-Gvir's call to expel Palestinians from Gaza
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International pressure on "Israel" to cease its actions in Gaza has intensified, with a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire being largely ignored.
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A German flag waves in front of the buildings of the banking district in Frankfurt, Germany, on Friday, August 30, 2024. (AP)
German Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer strongly condemned on Wednesday Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s remarks advocating for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the resettlement of the enclave by "Israel."
In a statement, Deschauer described Ben-Gvir's comments as "an unacceptable provocation" that the German federal government "rejects in the strongest possible terms."
Speaking to journalists in Berlin, she affirmed that "Gaza belongs to Palestinian women and men," and that any Israeli attempt to resettle the region would violate international law and undermine efforts for a political solution, particularly the two-state solution that Germany continues to support.
Ben-Gvir made the controversial remarks on Monday during a conference of extremist Israeli settlers near the Gaza border, where he promoted the idea of "encouraging emigration" of Palestinians as the "most ethical" solution to the ongoing genocide.
His comments, accompanied by slogans like "Gaza is Ours, Forever," called for the rebuilding of Zionist settlements in Gaza, which were dismantled by "Israel" nearly two decades ago.
Read more: Ben-Gvir says Palestinians 'should be shot in the head'
Israeli settlements to complicate efforts in international courts
The international reaction has been swift, with the US reiterating its longstanding opposition to the return of Israeli settlements in Gaza.
Legal experts have also raised concerns, with some noting that such actions could complicate "Israel’s" efforts in international legal cases, particularly at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where South Africa has already filed a genocide case against "Israel."
Deschauer’s remarks come as Gaza continues to suffer under a brutal Israeli aggression, which has led to the martyrdom of nearly 43,000 people, mostly women and children, and displaced almost the entire population.
International pressure on "Israel" to cease its actions in Gaza has intensified, with a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire being largely ignored.
Germany defends acts of aggression
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently issued shocking remarks earlier this month, claiming that "Israel" can target civilians in Gaza for "self-defense".
In a statement, Hamas said the "German government is unashamed of the targeting of civilians and hospitals as long as it provides security for Israel, and this is part of its commitments."
In response, Hamas expressed deep dismay at this statement, saying it reveals a "Zionist mentality stripped of all humanitarian values and principles and exposes the truth of the German position that supports and participates in the crimes of starvation, thirst, and genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."
Hamas held the German government fully responsible for the consequences of these dangerous statements by its Foreign Minister, as well as their political, legal, moral, and humanitarian repercussions.
