Smotrich slammed for calling Gaza starvation 'justified and moral'
4 Min Read
Smotrich's recent comments have sparked global outrage, reflecting a disturbing rhetoric that is interpreted as indicative of genocidal intent.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich during the weekly cabinet meeting with the Security Ministry in Tel Aviv, on Sunday, January 7, 2024. (AP)
The EU, France, and the UK have condemned a senior Israeli minister for suggesting that starving people in Gaza might be “justified and moral.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, on Monday, that he views blocking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as “justified and moral,” even if it leads to the starvation of two million civilians. He added, however, that the international community would not permit such an outcome. “We are bringing in aid because there is no choice,” he added.
The EU labeled the deliberate starvation of civilians a “war crime” and called on the Israeli government to “unequivocally distance itself” from Smotrich’s remarks. France also criticized the Minister, emphasizing that providing humanitarian aid to Gaza is an “obligation under international humanitarian law” since "Israel" controls all access to the territory. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged the broader Israeli government to retract and condemn the comments.
Smotrich's recent comments have sparked global outrage, reflecting a disturbing rhetoric that is interpreted as indicative of genocidal intent. His suggestion that blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza could be deemed “justified and moral” even if it results in mass starvation among 2 million civilians underscores a broader strategy to impose extreme suffering on Gaza's population.
This rhetoric comes as the Israeli genocide in Gaza persists unabated, now extending over 10 months. The ongoing aggression has resulted in the killing of at least 40,000 Palestinians and has led to man-made starvation, with children among the most vulnerable victims.
Despite their attempt to tone down Israeli officials' genocidal remarks and differentiate between extremist officials and Netanyahu’s government, the situation reveals that these distinctions do not even exist, as the actions of extremists and the government always align.
Leaked video shows Israelis sexually assaulting Palestinian prisoner
Additionally, on Wednesday, the US State Department demanded that "Israel" fully investigate accusations of sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees by its soldiers. This followed the airing of a video by Israeli Channel 12, which appeared to show soldiers taking a detainee out of sight of surveillance cameras to carry out abuses. US officials reviewed the video, according to spokesperson Matthew Miller.
“We have seen the video, and reports of sexual abuse of detainees are horrific,” Miller said. “There ought to be zero tolerance for sexual abuse, rape of any detainee, period … If there are detainees who have been sexually assaulted or raped, the government of Israel, the IDF need to fully investigate those actions.”
The White House also called the reports of rape, torture, and abuse of Palestinian prisoners “deeply concerning”.
The video emerged shortly after dozens of settlers from far-right settler groups, some masked and armed, joined by other political activists, breached an Israeli military base on Monday, July 29. The base was the site where Israeli occupation soldiers, detained for severe moral violations and the extreme torture of a Palestinian detainee, were being questioned. At the time, reports confirm that one Palestinian detainee was subjected to gang rape by 9 or 10 Israeli soldiers and endured severe torture, resulting in paralysis and current hospitalization. According to an Israeli Army Radio report, the abuse occurred approximately three weeks ago at the Sde Teiman detention facility. The victim was discovered at the military base in critical condition and was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment and surgery.
“It is appropriate that the IDF in this case has announced an investigation has arrested a number of people who are alleged to have been involved,” Miller said.
“I won’t speak to the outcome of that investigation, but it ought to proceed swiftly, and if they are determined to be in violation of criminal laws or violations of the IDF’s code of conduct, then, of course, they ought to be held accountable,” he added.
It is worth noting that the US has been considered complicit in the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, as it has supported "Israel" by vetoing ceasefire resolutions at the UN several times, asserting "Israel's right to defend itself." The US has also provided unwavering funding and weapons over the past ten months and has sent more than 23,000 US-Israeli soldiers to participate in the ongoing war.
Read more: US-Israeli soldier’s videos reveal war crimes in Gaza
