Israeli minister outraged by statement on Gaza
Bezalel Smotrich would accept the starvation of two million people to force the release of Hamas hostages. His remarks have sparked sharp criticism from Western allies. Berlin has been clear.
Germany, France, and the EU have expressed outrage at remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in which he regretted food aid to Palestinians in Gaza and justified starvation as morally justified. "These are completely unacceptable and offensive remarks by the Israeli finance minister. We reject them in the strongest possible terms," said a spokesperson for the German Foreign Office.
"It is a duty of humanity and a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law that civilians must be protected even in war and have access to water and food," the spokesperson said.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said they expect the Israeli government to clearly distance itself from Smotrich's words. The remarks again showed his contempt for international law and basic principles of humanity. Deliberately starving civilians is a war crime.
Smotrich reportedly said, according to Israeli media, that blocking aid until all hostages held by Hamas are freed is morally and justified, even if it means two million people in Gaza starve. But the international community won't allow that, he said.
Arrest warrants sought against Netanyahu & Co.
The French Foreign Ministry called the remarks "scandalous" and urged the Israeli government to "strongly condemn these unacceptable remarks". "France recalls that the provision of humanitarian aid to two million civilians in a dire situation in a territory under blockade and whose access points are controlled by Israel is a commitment under international humanitarian law, as recalled by the International Court of Justice."
Asked if the German government sees a genocidal intent ("genocidal intent") in these remarks or evaluates them as such, the Foreign Office spokesperson said, "I am sure that these remarks will also be closely watched in The Hague, where these kinds of questions are currently being discussed."
On May 21, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu and other Israelis. They are accused, among other things, of being responsible for the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, as well as for arbitrary killings and targeted attacks on civilians.
Despite the international outcry, Smotrich defended his stance on Gaza, stating that he believes in withholding aid until Hamas releases its hostages, even if it means starvation for two million people in the Gaza Strip.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Smotrich's remarks, calling them a violation of international humanitarian law and a threat to the peace and stability of the Middle East.
