Netanyahu gives minister a time-out after nuclear bomb statement
A minister in the ultra-right-wing Israeli government has been sanctioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for statements on the possible use of a nuclear bomb in the Gaza Strip. The Minister for Cultural Heritage, Amichai Elijahu, will be excluded from all cabinet meetings "until further notice", Netanyahu's office announced. Netanyahu was quoted as saying that Eliyahu's statements "do not correspond to reality".
Elijahu had described the use of a nuclear bomb in the war against the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas as "an option" in an interview on the radio station Kol Barama. According to his office, Netanyahu then emphasized that Israel and its armed forces were acting "in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocent people". Israel will "continue to do so until we win", the head of government was further quoted as saying.
In the interview, the ultra-nationalist minister also suggested that Israel should sacrifice the hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "In war, we pay a price," Elijahu said in response to a question from the interviewer about the fate of the hostages in the event of a nuclear bomb being dropped.
Elijahu speaks of a "metaphorical" statement
A forum representing the relatives of those abducted and missing in the Gaza Strip described Elijahu's remarks as "ruthless and cruel". The forum explained that not only international law, but also "principles of human morality" speak strictly against the use of "weapons of mass destruction".
Elijahu responded to the outrage by saying that his statement on the nuclear bomb was meant "metaphorically". Israel is committed to doing "everything in its power to bring the hostages home safely". Israel has never officially confirmed the possession of nuclear weapons. However, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) estimates that Israel possesses 90 nuclear warheads.
Hundreds of Hamas fighters attacked Israel a week ago and, according to Israeli figures, murdered around 1,400 people, most of them civilians. In addition, more than 240 other people were reportedly taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with massive attacks in the densely populated Palestinian territory.
- The Middle East conflict, specifically the situation in Gaza, has once again sparked heated discussions within the Israeli government.
- The use of nuclear weapons in the context of the Middle East conflict, such as the suggestion made by Minister Amichai Elijahu, is a highly controversial topic due to the risks involved in Military operations.
- Despite the controversial statements made by Minister Elijahu, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's military actions in Gaza comply with international law and aim to minimize harm to civilians.
- Hamas, the radical Islamic Palestinian organization in Gaza, has been involved in numerous battles with Israel, resulting in the abduction of several hostages, a situation that has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing Middle East conflicts and wars.
Source: www.ntv.de
