Israeli Heritage Minister: "Blow up & flatten everything [in Gaza] Simply a delight for the eyes.....

[Celerity]

We need to talk about the day after.. We give out land plots to all those [soldiers] who have fought against Gaza over the years & to [settlers]"

Still questioning genocidal intent?

Source: Israel's Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu's FB page, openly calling for wiping out Gaza & giving it to soldiers & settlers

Link to tweet

related:


Israeli MP Galit Distal Atbaryan Says It Clearly for World to Hear: 'Erase All of Gaza From the Face of the Earth'

https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-gaza-genocide


Galit Distel Atbaryan, a member of the Israeli Knesset for the ruling Likud Party, is seen holding an Israeli flag.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-gaza-genocide

An Israeli lawmaker from the ruling right-wing Likud Party on Wednesday offered fresh evidence that the Israeli government's aim in its bombardment of Gaza is a genocidal effort to kill or forcibly remove the more than 2 million Palestinians living there, declaring, "Gaza should be erased." With the support of the United States and other Western countries, Israel has claimed since October 7—when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing as many as 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostage—that its bombardment of Gaza is necessary to destroy the armed group, even though the IDF has repeatedly struck civilian targets and killed nearly 9,000 Palestinians so far, including over 3,500 children.

After screening a 45-minute montage of footage taken by Hamas fighters' body cameras during the October 7 attack, Knesset member and former Public Diplomacy Minister Galit Distal Atbaryan posted on Facebook that Israeli officials must invest all their energy "in one thing: erasing all of Gaza from the face of the Earth.""That the brave monsters will fly to the southern fence and enter Egyptian territory," Atbaryan continued, an apparent reference to Israel's reported plan to permanently expel Palestinians who survive the assault to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, imposing a "second Nakba" on the population. "Or let them die... Gaza needs to be wiped out." "Revengeful and vicious IDF is required here," she continued. "Anything less than that is immoral."

Atbaryan's post signified "genocidal intent, clearly expressed," said author and former Irish Times environmental editor Frank McDonald.

Link to tweet

Writer and organizer Fiona Edwards noted that despite public comments like Atbaryan's, the U.S. and other Western governments continue to insist that "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East."

Link to tweet

Atbaryan is only the latest Israeli official to proudly announce to the world the violence the government plans to perpetrate in Gaza, both following the October 7 attack and long before the latest escalation in fighting in the region. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called residents of Gaza, about half of whom are children, "human animals" as he ordered a "complete siege" on the enclave including a total blockade of food, fuel, and electricity. Former military officer Eliyahu Yossian said the IDF must enter Gaza "with the aim of revenge, zero morality, maximum corpses," and told Channel 14 in Israel on Monday that "there is no population in Gaza, there are 2.5 million terrorists."

Link to tweet

snip

Israeli President says there are no innocent citizens in the Gaza Strip

Link to tweet

[Brenda]

1. I posted about this last Friday as a response to a couple of threads.

No one replies to those statements by Israeli officials.

Thanks for making it more visible.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=367589

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=18422378

[Martin68]

10. Has he stopped to consider the heritage that will be left for Israel after this?

[Autumn]

2. Wow. this is what America is supporting? Biden needs to tell Israel that

until there is an agreement that recognizes Palestine's independence and safety and Israel's security we will step back on aid to them.

[malaise]

3. And he is not alone with this plan

That is all

[sarisataka]

4. This is the same moron who suggested

Using a nuclear bomb. He needs to join the unemployment line.

[leftstreet]

5. DURec

You always create great reference sources on DU. Thank you

[Celerity]

7. yw

[Disaffected]

6. As the old, and wise, saying goes:

"The oppressed become the oppressors".

[inthewind21]

8. Huh

No, but but but replies. Wonder why?

[maxsolomon]

9. Extremist voices don't drive policy. A Likud MP and the Heritage Minister don't drive military strategy.

But everyone fixates on their intemperate language as if it's gospel. Extremists are only good at preventing solutions.

Netanyahu is Likud, but I do not believe that the IDF & this govt will destroy Gaza City, kill all 2.3 million Gazans, and turn it over to "those evicted from Gush Kalit" (I have no idea what that is). Very few of you do, either.

The Biden Admin is not going to allow that strategy, ever.

[Celerity]

14. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog and the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant deffo play a role in driving policy

Israeli President says there are no innocent citizens in the Gaza Strip

Link to tweet

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called residents of Gaza, about half of whom are children, "human animals" as he ordered a "complete siege" on the enclave including a total blockade of food, fuel, and electricity.

[maxsolomon]

16. well, he's technically correct. all humans, even children, are animals. apes, specifically.

Likud pols are definitely making intemperate, hyperbolic statements that are being held up as proof of intent, and they should STFU.

I still do not believe that the intent is to kill 2.3 million Gazans and raze the entire strip.

[Celerity]

18. sigh

well, he's technically correct. all humans, even children, are animals. apes, specifically.

You are far too intelligent for that type of flippant remark, Max.

[maxsolomon]

21. No, I'm not. Fliippant remarks keep me sane.

Keeping our Ape nature in mind helps me cope.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

20. Yeah

"well, he's technically correct. all humans, even children, are animals. apes, specifically."

That's totally what he meant.

[Bettie]

28. The current President and all of his cabinet

ARE the extremists, so yes, they do drive policy. They make the policy.

[maxsolomon]

30. the heritage minister is not the president.

and the president is not the prime minister. the prime minister, Netanyahu, sets the policy.

the policy is not what the heritage minister said. if it was, there would be more than 10,000 dead Gazans by now.

[Bettie]

31. We'll see, won't we

once this is over and the smoke has cleared, we'll see if Netanyahu and his buddies, including the guy who said this, the guy who said they are all "animals", even though you prefer to parse that as a 'joke' or some such nonsense.

Netanyahu used some old testament story about killing everything down to the animals in a place and said that they need to do that to Gaza, so, I'm not holding my breath on this ending any way other than with all or most in Gaza dead. Then, they'll have to go and wipe out whoever remains in the West Bank, though the setters and IDF are making good headway with that these days.

Here's what he quoted: “'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/benjamin-netanyahu-amalek-israel-palestine-gaza-saul-samuel-old-testament/#:~:text=%E2%80%9C'I%20will%20punish%20the%20Amalekites,%2C%20camels%20and%20donkeys.'%E2%80%9D

[maxsolomon]

40. "Most" of Gaza would be 1.2 million people, over 50% of 2.3 million.

So yes, we shall see whether the death toll is between 1.2 and 2.3 million.

I feel confident it won't be. Bookmarking.

[Lonestarblue]

36. Netanyahu has ignored what the US wants for decades and he has never suffered for it.

He’s like Trump, assuming that he’s untouchable. I know there are good people in Israel, but they seem to be silent on the atrocities Israel is inflicting on civilians. Why? I would think that there would be major protests against Netanyahu and what is looking more and more like a plan to kill every Palestinian in Gaza.

Netanyahu was warned that Hamas was planning a major attack. Did he move troops to the Gaza border? No. Did he want the provocation of the attack as an excuse to clear Gaza of Palestinians?

[Sympthsical]

11. Very few people argue that Likud doesn't have some shitty people

But are they driving policy? They are not. Plastering this guy everywhere - and he is a horrible human, make no mistake - is trying to draw a moral equivalence that I do not think is valid.

Hamas wants genocide as policy. That is not Likud policy, no matter what this asshole says and no matter what narrative some anti-Israel critics are trying to create.

When the Israeli prime minister, defense chief, and others at the head of government making war decisions start discussing wiping Palestinians off the map, then let's talk.

At present, whoever is responsible for this guy having a job needs to change course and remove him from it. And the Israeli voters should keep a close eye on what is being said in some quarters of Likud. Just as we should keep a close eye on what is said about Israel and Jews. I have no problem speaking up and condemning Likud members who say these things.

[Celerity]

12. I did not just post about 'one guy'. There are 6 Israelis quoted, including the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog and

the Israeli, Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.

you stated:

Very few people argue that Likud doesn't have some shitty people

But are they driving policy? They are not.

I think the Defense Minister and the President have some significant input on policy.

[Sympthsical]

19. You stepped aside the point a bit

When the policy-makers of the war start saying it, I will have a lot more to say in response. The Israeli President is more of a ceremonial position. It'd be like if King Charles had a shitty opinion. Noteworthy, but I'm not going to claim that's English policy.

It's like here. You can find all kinds of right-wing extremist assholes littered across the Republican Party. Hell, we've got Tlaib repeating genocide rhetoric, which is a whole thing. But is that American policy? Because the entirety of Hamas has made their intentions and policy quite clear.

And that is a line you're not drawing.

(I'm not addressing Gallet, because that is a ridiculously biased Common Dreams article, and I don't quite have the time at the moment to go unpack an unbiased lateral read of it)

Anyway. I don't want to argue this you - I really don't - because I respect you so much. But cherry picking and extrapolating outward obscures rather than clarifies, IMO. I would've said nothing, but now people are "Israel is genocidal, too!" based on this stuff, which is untrue. Some of them are. And they should be condemned. But I'm interested in government policy. Hamas has a clear policy. Israel currently has theirs, as much as we can discern in this mess, at least. And I unequivocally condemn government policy in the West Bank. No excuses, no obfuscating, no "But what about . . .", no shitty cherry-picked contextualizing. The policy is morally and legally wrong. Full stop.

In the end, it becomes a matter of support. I do not support any Likud who say such things. I would not support any policy aimed at such things. However, on the other side, well . . . what we're seeing right now doesn't scream condemnation to me. In fact, it screams quite the opposite.

I think blurring via grabbing at individuals when you have a whole genocidal organization running around doesn't clarify. It muddies, and I think the muddiness is meant to serve.

Busy day, so this is going to be my last Israel/Palestine shit fest participation. I'll read your reply if you make one, tho.

[Celerity]

22. I do not find the Israeli Defence Minister and the Israeli President to be minor, bit players.

cheers

[WarGamer]

13. Truly disgusting.

[Chakaconcarne]

15. Yeah, that's a good look... Israeli people need to push back against these RWingers.

[maxsolomon]

17. We're not hearing a lot from Labor since they aren't in power

and they're not making hyperbolic, stupid statements. "Look at this well-reasoned, nuanced statement from an Israeli with no power to impact policy".

Well, maybe they are, but none of them are prompting DU OPs.

[totodeinhere]

23. None of this would be happening if Hamas had not invaded Israel and murdered babies,

raped grandmothers and taken innocent citizens hostage. As President Biden has said, Israeli rage is understandable. By the way, what does the OP think of the Hamas attacks on 10/7?

[Celerity]

25. Even if Hamas had not done their murderous October 7th terror rampage, there would still be

other points of violence and injustice going on, just at lower levels, like the constant. government backed illegal land grabs and attacks by the radical RW settlers in the West Bank, with retaliatory violence by the Palestinians there, and/or some lower level rando rocket launches by the odious Hamas. etc.

[totodeinhere]

27. That may all be true, but none of that justifies the Hamas attack on 10/7.

And since that attack happened, Israel realizes that Hamas must be crushed or it will keep happening. Once Hamas is eliminated then we can address other issue.

[Celerity]

33. The violent conflicts will also keep happening if the illegal settlements aren't stopped & reversed. It's a 2-way street

as much as some think (or at least posture as such) it is not.

[totodeinhere]

42. It is a war crime to commit such atrocities

as committed by Hamas whether or not Israel is establishing illegal settlements. The issue of the illegal settlements should not be solved with violence. Hamas is in the wrong

[Butterflylady]

39. Even if Hamas is eliminated, another group

Will take over. You can't stop the hate in that area. It will go on and on until one or the other is annilated. Who was it that said 'WWIII will be fought with sticks and stones.'

I think that is a true analysis.

[Duncan Grant]

35. President Biden actually said this (10/18/23):

Biden Warns Israel Against Being “Consumed” By Rage—But Declines to Call For Ceasefire

President Joe Biden wrapped his visit to Israel on Wednesday with a show of support for the United States ally—along with a measured warning for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to de-escalate as his government forces lay siege to Gaza. “Justice must be done,” the president said, calling the October 7 Hamas sneak attack “Israel’s 9/11.” “But I caution this: While you feel that rage, don’t be consumed by it.”

“You are a Jewish state, but you’re also a democracy,” Biden added. “And like the United States, you don’t live by the rules of terrorists. You live by the rule of law.”

… The president has tried to walk a fine line between his steadfast support for Israel in the wake of tragedy and concerns about Netanyahu’s military response, which has now resulted in 3,500 deaths in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. “I think it’d be a big mistake” for Israeli forces to occupy Gaza, Biden said on 60 Minutes Sunday, as his administration pressed Netanyahu to allow aid into the embattled strip. His remarks in solidarity with Palestinian civilians Wednesday went a touch further—and came with a promise of $100 million in American aid to Gaza. “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” he said Wednesday.

As for the Hamas attacks on 10/7/23? Asked and answered. No one on DU is an apologist for Hamas. As the president said above, “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people”. Consequently, the actions/policy of the current Israeli government re: Gaza deserve humanitarian review and analysis. Rage shouldn’t be a variable — or a justification/rationalization — when it comes to civilians because, “Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people.”

[totodeinhere]

44. Hamas does not represent all of the Palestinian people.

But unfortunately Hamas is located among the Palestinian people and Israel has no choice but to take out Hamas operatives and in so doing there will be civilian casualties. If Israel does not take out Hamas Hamas will continue to attack Israel and kill more innocent Israeli citizens. So Israel must continue the fight against Hamas without a ceasefire. A ceasefire would be tantamount to a Hamas victory because Hamas could regroup and attack Israel again if Israeli attacks were to stop. I'm afraid this is a zero-sum game.

[ecstatic]

24. Jeez... well, I kind of suspected that was the case

Biden's team keeps asking about the plan for after the war.

I guess the "crickets" response is because they don't feel they need a plan since they don't plan to leave any survivors.

It's cruel but also a miscalculation. Even if they kill everyone in Gaza, do they not think there will be a hostile or even violent reaction from other groups and/or nations??

[MOMFUDSKI]

26. Israel is fucked until they get the righties

out of power. Just like we will be should orange menace get power back.

[RockRaven]

29. People won't see/hear what they are determined not to know.

No matter how much you wave it in front of their face.

[edhopper]

32. He was suspended

will most likely be asked to resign, and the government has condemned his words.

Do you post things here from Talib and say she speaks for America?

Now do Hamas.

[Celerity]

41. I have condemned Hamas many many times here, plus I said I would not shed a single tear if Tlaib

was primaried and lost (although it is probably unlikely to happen given the demographics of her district).

[edhopper]

43. My point is

this guy is a Right Wing brute. They have them, we have them, but you posted this as if he speaks for Israel. You flatly say this proves Israel's genocidal intent, that is simply a false statement.

[claudette]

34. Maybe that was

Netanyahoo’s intention from that start. To demolish the buildings in Gaza (along with thousands of Palestinians) so the land is ready for the Israeli government to build their own settlements when they take over the ownership of the land.

[vapor2]

37. This is disturbing at best

[brush]

38. Unbelievable. Advocating for a holocaust in GAZA, as if WWll and death camps in Germany never happened..

Short-term, generational memory loss I guess.