Western Allies Condemn Inflammatory Remarks
Israel’s Western allies, including Canada and the European Union, have strongly condemned comments made by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich. In a recent speech, Smotrich suggested that starving Gaza’s population of over two million Palestinians “might be just and moral” until hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack on southern Israel are released. His remarks have sparked outrage, with Canada’s embassy in Israel labeling the comments as “inflammatory” and harmful to the peace process. The European Union went further, stating that the “deliberate starvation of civilians is a war crime,” emphasizing the gravity of Smotrich’s statement as a violation of international law.
Smotrich’s Controversial Stance on Gaza
During his speech at a conference supporting Jewish settlements, Smotrich, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, implied that Israel was compelled to send humanitarian aid to Gaza despite the ongoing conflict. He claimed that in the current global context, “no one will allow us to starve two million people,” although he insinuated that doing so might be “just and moral” until the hostages are returned. Smotrich, who advocates for the reoccupation of Gaza and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements dismantled in 2005, also promotes the “voluntary migration” of large numbers of Palestinians from the region, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from both domestic and international observers.
International Backlash Against Smotrich’s Statements
The international response to Smotrich’s remarks has been swift and severe. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the comments as “beyond ignominious,” accusing Smotrich of showing blatant disregard for international law and fundamental human rights. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined the chorus of disapproval, stating unequivocally that “there can be no justification” for the finance minister’s words and urging the broader Israeli government to retract and denounce them. Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Siebert, also voiced his disapproval, calling the remarks “unacceptable and appalling,” and underscored the necessity of protecting civilians and ensuring their access to essential resources like food and water. Egypt’s foreign ministry echoed these sentiments, branding Smotrich’s comments as “shameful” and a clear breach of international humanitarian law, warning that such rhetoric only serves to incite further violence against Palestinians in Gaza.
