US Jewish Dems complain about racist ministers to Israeli Ambassador

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
13 Jan 2024 12:25
5 Shares

An Axios report has revealed the details of a heated meeting between Jewish US lawmakers and Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog, over criminal remarks made by Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) speaks with Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Security Ministry, in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, on January 7, 2024. (AP)

A group of around 15 Jewish House Democrats held a heated meeting with Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog on Thursday, to voice their concerns over statements made by extremist right-wing Israeli ministers and officials, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Axios reported, citing sources.

In detail, the US lawmakers complained about the statement and actions of the ministers, saying that they have been detrimental to "Israel's" image, and public support for its war on Gaza in the US.

Systematic expansionism

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have both called for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which the latter described as the "most progressive solution."

In the same context, Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich has called for the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of Israeli settlements in areas that have been flattened by the occupation military's bombs and shells. Smotrich has also publicly expressed enthusiasm over the Gaza Strip which contains a couple hundred thousand Palestinians rather than the current estimated population of 2.2 million.

Importantly, surfacing discontent among Jewish Democrats comes in the backdrop of a lawsuit filed by South Africa against "Israel", accusing the latter of breaching the United Nation's Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG), or the Genocide Convention. The legal action has had resounding effects on "Israel's" public, as the occupation scrambles to defend its crimes in the highest international court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It is worth noting that the 84-page document submitted by South Africa to the ICJ includes a section dedicated to "Expressions of Genocidal Intent against the Palestinian People by Israeli State Officials," which includes statements made not just by Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, but also by the Israeli Prime Minister, the Israeli President, the Israeli Minister of Security, the Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, the Israeli Minister of Heritage, the Israeli Minister of Agriculture, and the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and member of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, all of whom have made outrageous genocide inciting statements.

US concerned over backed-genocide

Ambassador Herzog was faced with unanimous disapproval regarding the comments made by Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, according to Axios. The Jewish lawmakers were supposedly disgruntled by the fact that Herzog did not adequately respond to their concerns, including those expressed by the most staunch supporters of the Israeli government. The US State Department had previously condemned genocidal comments, however, the Biden administration has done nothing but enable the Israeli occupation's war crimes in the Gaza Strip, by providing it with military and political support.

The US' "unwavering" support to "Israel" has persisted despite Israeli actions that have hindered the US's outlook for the war on Gaza, including efforts for momentary "humanitarian truces" and the imposition of a US-backed "Palestinian Authority", as reported by Axios,

Herzog was only able to refer US officials to a statement made by Netanyahu on Wednesday, in which he claimed that "Israel" does not seek to forcibly displace Palestinians or reoccupy the Gaza Strip. Regardless of sentiments echoed by Israeli officials, in reality, the Israeli occupation forces continue to ethnically cleanse, kill en masse, and forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

In fact, 23,843 Palestinians have been killed as a direct result of the aggression, while the number of wounded has exceeded 60,000 since October 7. Additionally, thousands have been reported missing to authorities in Gaza, while the Israeli forces directly occupy several towns and cities in the Gaza Strip.