EU Foreign Policy Chief Calls for Sanctions against Israeli Ministers for ‘Incitement to War Crimes’
EUROPE, 19 Aug 2024
The Cradle News Desk - TRANSCEND Media Service
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Josep Borrell called Smotrich’s comments on starving two million Gazans by withholding aid “sinister.”
12 Aug 2024 – EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said yesterday that the bloc must consider imposing sanctions against Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for “incitement to war crimes.”
Borrell urged the Israeli government to clearly dissociate itself from individuals who incite war crimes and to work seriously towards a ceasefire deal.
The high-ranking EU official also denounced Ben Gvir for urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt all humanitarian aid and fuel to the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing genocide.
Finance Minister Smotrich’s comments about starving two million Gazans by withholding aid in exchange for Israeli captives as “sinister,” in stark contrast to the Israeli minister’s assertion that the approach is “justified and moral.”
UN human rights chief Volker Turk also condemned statements made by the finance minister and should be investigated criminally.
In response, during an interview with Israeli news outlet Kan, Smotrich suggested that his remarks were misunderstood, reaffirming that “morally, we must condition humanitarian aid and tell Hamas, the Gazans, and the world that we allow aid in under the condition that they return our hostages.”
On 5 August, Smotrich argued for the use of starvation over any prisoner exchange and ceasefire negotiations. He also restated his opposition to releasing Palestinians in Israeli prisons in exchange for the captives in Gaza and his support for Israel resettling the strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that resettling Gaza is unrealistic, angering his far-right allies.
Smotrich and Israeli Defense Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have been at the center of controversy since their rise to power after the November 2022 elections in Israel, when their Religious Zionist Party joined Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.
Smotrich has also previously called for the destruction, ‘ethnic cleansing,’ and annexation of Gaza.
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