The remarks were immediately denounced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that Eliyahu’s words are “detached from reality”…reports Asian Lite News
The Israeli government on Sunday drew ire after Minister Amichai Eliyahu suggested that dropping nuclear weapons on Gaza is “one of the options” and no aid should be transferred to Gaza, Times of Israel reported.
His remarks drew condemnation including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who suspended him “indefinitely”.
On being asked in an interview with Radio Kol Berama whether he was suggesting that some kind of nuclear bomb might be dropped on the enclave, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said “That’s one way.”
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Eliyahu voiced his objection against any humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying “We wouldn’t hand the Nazis humanitarian aid,” and charging that “there is no such thing as uninvolved civilians in Gaza,” Times of Israel reported.
He further backed retaking the territory of the Gaza Strip and restoring the settlements there.
On being asked about the fate of the Palestinian population, he said, “They can go to Ireland or deserts, the monsters in Gaza should find a solution by themselves.”
The Israeli Minister asserted that the northern Strip has “no right to exist”, adding that anyone waving a Palestinian or Hamas flag “shouldn’t continue living on the face of the earth,” Times of Israel reported.
The remarks were immediately denounced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that Eliyahu’s words are “detached from reality”.
“Israel and the IDF are acting in accordance with the highest standards of international law in order to prevent harm to uninvolved people, and we will continue to do that all the way to victory,” Netanyahu says in a statement.
The premiere’s office also announced that Eliyahu has been suspended from government meetings indefinitely, Times of Israel reported.
However, the government ministers raised objections to Eliyahu’s sacking and called the action “meaningless”.
Times of Israel reported citing Channel 12 news that Netanyahu wanted to fire Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, but buckled following opposition from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Ben Gvir, who heads the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, of which Eliyahu is a member, told Netanyahu he would “not cooperate with the effort, saying the government should be focusing on destroying Hamas, not “educating ministers,” according to the network. After this, Netanyahu folded.
The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned Eliyahu’s remarks and referred the Israeli minister as “fascist”.
“The statements by fascist minister Eliyahu are an honest declaration and clear acknowledgement of what the occupying state [Israel] is doing against our people… particularly in Gaza,” Times of Israel quoted the statement by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.
The Saudi foreign ministry also condemned the “extremist” suggestion stating that it “shows to what extent extremism and brutality have penetrated the Israeli government.” (ANI)
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