The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for suggesting that starving Palestinians in Gaza may be “justified and moral.” Calling it an admission of adopting a policy of genocide, the Ministry has urged the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against Smotrich. Smotrich’s comments have been met with international outrage, with countries like Britain and the European Union condemning his remarks.
Israel has been imposing a suffocating blockade on Gaza, pushing the territory to the verge of starvation. The relentless bombing by the Israeli military has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. ICC prosecutors are seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yaov Gallant, but not for Smotrich, despite his controversial statements against Palestinians in the past.
The international community has called on Israel to retract and condemn Smotrich’s remarks, emphasizing that the deliberate starvation of civilians is a war crime. The United States has also urged Israel to investigate allegations of sexual assault against Palestinian detainees at the Sde Teiman prison, with a spokesperson emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards such abuse.
Overall, Smotrich’s comments have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from the Israeli government. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians killed and injured amid the ongoing conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and demand actions to uphold human rights and international law.
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