Latest comment from Israel Government Minister beyond the bounds of humanity

The latest comments by Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, advocating and inciting violence amounting to atrocity crimes, are yet another example of the utter contempt for international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the basic tenets of humanity displayed by senior Israeli Government officials.  

These dehumanising remarks follow the devastating human toll of 73,400 Palestinians killed and 174,312 injured in Gaza since 7 October 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, alongside 1,123 Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank.

In January 2024, the International Court of Justice handed down binding provisional measures requiring Israel to “take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip”.

Today, in the wake of the utter destruction of Gaza and unrelenting Israeli settler attacks and forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, statements from senior Israeli officials to justify and encourage further unlawful mass killings of Palestinians continue unabated. It is beyond the bounds of humanity.

The Israeli Government must promptly and unequivocally condemn such incitement to violence, investigate instances of incitement, particularly from senior government officials, and hold those responsible to account. Third States must also take steps to fulfil their obligations to prevent and punish atrocity crimes.