In recent times, the rhetoric by Israeli politicians and government officials against Palestinians has been a subject of considerable concern, reflecting deep-seated tensions and complexities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Actions Against Palestinian Identity
One of the striking examples comes from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who ordered the removal of Palestinian flags from East Jerusalem and inside Israel, labeling the Palestinian national symbol as an act of “terrorism” (1). This move is seen as a tightening of restrictions on Palestinian expressions of identity, with Amnesty International describing it as Israel’s “latest attempt to silence Palestinians” (1).
Controversial Proposals and Preferences
Controversial proposals and preferences have also been expressed by Israeli politicians. Hanoch Milwidsky of the Likud party advocated for "crude tools" against Palestinians implicated in attacks, including the death penalty and stripping of citizenship (2). Moreover, Limor Son Har-Melech of the Jewish Power party starkly stated, "A Jew who kills an Arab needs to sit in prison for life. An Arab who kills a Jew needs to die" (3).
Denying Palestinian Identity
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked backlash by claiming that the Palestinian people are “an invention” of the past century, asserting there was “no such thing as a Palestinian” (4). Smotrich is also known for suggesting that the Palestinian village of Huwara should be wiped out (5).
International Outrage and Responses
These statements have not only drawn condemnation from Palestinian leaders but also international outrage. The UN committee on racism expressed concerns about a "sharp increase in racist hate speech and dehumanization" directed at Palestinians by Israeli officials (6). Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant referred to Palestinians as "human animals," which was condemned by various international entities (7).
Collective Punishment and Dehumanization
A UN report highlighted that Israeli leaders have been accused of collectively punishing Palestinians in Gaza for the actions of Hamas and other military groups. This includes targeting civilian infrastructures like schools and hospitals (8). Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was reported to have inferred that even babies in Gaza could be considered legitimate targets (9).
Concluding Remarks
These instances of rhetoric and actions underscore the charged and polarized atmosphere within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They not only reflect the views of individuals but also hint at broader political dynamics and ideologies at play, contributing to the escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region.
Reference:
Al Jazeera. (2023, January 9). Israeli government starts by pushing far-right agenda. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/9/israeli-government-starts-by-pushing-far-right-agenda
Al Jazeera. (2023, January 9). Israeli government starts by pushing far-right agenda. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/9/israeli-government-starts-by-pushing-far-right-agenda
Al Jazeera. (2023, January 9). Israeli government starts by pushing far-right agenda. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/9/israeli-government-starts-by-pushing-far-right-agenda
Al Jazeera. (2023, October 27). Palestinians ‘an invention’ of past century: Israel’s Smotrich. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/palestinians-an-invention-of-past-century-israels-smotrich
Al Jazeera. (2023, October 27). Palestinians ‘an invention’ of past century: Israel’s Smotrich. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/palestinians-an-invention-of-past-century-israels-smotrich
Reuters. (2023, October 27). UN committee voices concern about rising Israeli hate speech against Palestinians. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-un-idUSKBN1XW1Z9
Reuters. (2023, October 27). UN committee voices concern about rising Israeli hate speech against Palestinians. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-un-idUSKBN1XW1Z9
UN News. (2023). Israel-Palestine crisis has ‘reached an unprecedented level of dehumanisation’: Independent rights expert. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1115652
UN News. (2023). Israel-Palestine crisis has ‘reached an unprecedented level of dehumanisation’: Independent rights expert. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1115652
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