In a taped interview released on Sunday, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the killing of 30 to 40 Palestinians in Gaza every night, reigniting international outrage and raising fresh questions about the direction of Israeli policy. The comments, made during a podcast with former hostage Rom Braslavski, were quickly picked up by media outlets across the globe.
Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, used the conversation to criticise the recent slowdown in Israeli strikes on Gaza. "It's no secret, I disagree with the prime minister," he said. "I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night." He added, "Not just those who pose an immediate threat, there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn't live. They're not even people."
European and international reaction
The remarks have drawn sharp condemnation from European capitals and human rights organisations. Ben-Gvir is already banned from entering more than ten countries, including France, Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. His latest statements are likely to reinforce those restrictions and could complicate diplomatic efforts by European Union member states seeking a ceasefire and a two-state solution.
International lawyers have previously pointed to similar rhetoric from Israeli officials as potential evidence of genocidal intent, a charge Israel denies. The International Court of Justice in The Hague is currently examining the broader conflict, and such statements may be cited in ongoing proceedings.
According to medical sources in Gaza, more than 100,000 Palestinians have been killed in the two-year military offensive. The United Nations and numerous European governments have repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law.
Political context and domestic silence
Israeli media have given the remarks scant coverage, a sign of how once-fringe positions are becoming more mainstream ahead of the national election scheduled for 27 October. Ben-Gvir's hardline stance has gained popularity among some Israelis since the Hamas-led attack on 7 October, with his party polling strongly.
Ben-Gvir does not command the military and cannot order strikes directly, but he wields significant influence over key parts of the security apparatus. He oversees the prison service, where thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank are held, and the national police force. He has previously boasted of reducing food rations for Palestinian prisoners, a practice Israel's Supreme Court ruled in 2025 as falling below the minimum subsistence level.
The timing of his comments is notable. Until recently, Israel was striking Gaza almost daily, with over 1,250 deaths since the October truce, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The military has eased off in what appears to be a concession to US President Donald Trump after Netanyahu rejected his latest proposal to advance the truce. Israeli media report that strike authorisation has now been limited to the army's chief of staff, a move that has angered right-wing lawmakers like Ben-Gvir.
Advocating for mass emigration and settlement
In the same interview, Ben-Gvir advocated for the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the territory, which Israel evacuated in 2005. "I see all of Gaza as ours," he said. "Settlements not just in Gush Katif but throughout Gaza, encouraging as much emigration as possible, sending them to their countries, and for the terrorists, no emigration, nothing, just to kill them one by one."
Such proposals have been described by international legal experts as potentially amounting to ethnic cleansing, a charge Israel rejects. The European Union has consistently opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians and supports a negotiated two-state solution.
Ben-Gvir's influence, despite his lack of military authority, underscores the shifting political landscape in Israel. His statements, once confined to the fringes, now resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. As the election approaches, European observers will be watching closely to see whether such rhetoric translates into policy changes that could further destabilise the region.
