Latest news with #BenGvir
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Israeli Leaders Call For Syrian President's Assassination
Hardline and outspoken Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for Israel to 'eliminate' Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the latest escalation in sectarian violence this week. 'The shocking images from Syria prove one thing: once a jihadist, always a jihadist,' Ben Gvir said in a video statement on Wednesday. 'Anyone who murders, shaves mustaches, humiliates, and rapes cannot be negotiated with, and the only thing that can be done is to eliminate al-Julani,' he added, referring to the Syrian leader's previous nom de guerre, Mohammad al-Jolani. 'I love the Druze citizens in the State of Israel, and I embrace them warmly, and I tell them: we must cut off the head of the snake,' Ben Gvir added, essentially calling for Sharaa's assassination. Israel has been using the plight of the persecuted Druze minority in southern Syria as a pretext for expanding its military presence far beyond the occupied Golan Heights. Critics have accused Israeli leaders of 'divide-and-conquer' tactics, and have even allowed thousands of Druze who lived under occupied areas (in Israel) to breach the Golan border fence and flood back into Syria. The Syrian regime of Sharaa and his fanatical Sunni fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have stood accused of conducting entho-religious genocide, targeting Druze, Christians, and Alawites. This has been happening especially in the south this week. Israel on Wednesday for the first time ever targeted the sprawling Syrian Defense Ministry building with airstrikes, destroying it. This is not something that had been done throughout the entirety of the Assad family's rule. Meanwhile, Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has joined Ben Gvir in calling for the overthrow of Sharaa. Chikli has called for his assassination, branding him a 'terrorist' and a 'brutal murderer.' Chikli defended the stepped up Israeli attacks on Damascus, drawing comparisons between Sharaa's government and Palestinian militant groups. 'If it looks like Hamas, talks like Hamas, and acts like Hamas—then it is Hamas,' he stated. Rather than the likes of Ben Gvir suddenly becoming concerned over human rights, something else is definitely going on here… But curiously, these Israeli officials were silent when throughout the Syrian proxy war which targeted Assad, the Netanyahu government was openly helping hardline jihadists, including hosting wounded FSA and Nusrah Front (AQ) fighters in Israeli hospitals.
L'Orient-Le Jour
6 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Slovenia bars 2 far-right Israeli ministers
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering in what authorities said was a first in the European Union. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be declared "personae non gratae," the Slovenian government said in a statement, accusing them of inciting "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians" with "their genocidal statements." In June, Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Norway imposed similar sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir, key coalition partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ben Gvir and Smotrich have drawn international criticism for their hard-line stance on the Gaza war and comments about settlements in the occupied West Bank, the other Palestinian territory. Smotrich, who resides in a West Bank settlement, has advocated for the expansion of settlements and has called for the territory's annexation. "This is the first measure of this nature in the EU," Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said of the ban. On May 21, President Natasa Pirc Musar, in an address to the European parliament, urged the EU to take stronger action, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Slovenia was in May among six European countries to say that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to expand its military offensive in the Palestinian territory. Last year, Slovenia announced it was recognising a Palestinian state after Ireland, Norway and Spain, in moves partly fueled by condemnation of Israel's bombing of Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Nearly 150 countries recognise a Palestinian state.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Slovenia bars two far-right Israeli ministers over 'genocidal statements' - Region
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, citing their "genocidal statements" as the reason for the unprecedented move in the European Union. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be declared persona non grata, the Slovenian government said in a statement, warning that their rhetoric has incited "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians." "This is the first measure of this nature in the EU," Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said of the ban. The far-right ministers, key allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, have faced widespread international condemnation for their "genocidal statements" on Israel's war in Gaza, as well as their inflammatory rhetoric concerning the occupation and expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. Smotrich, a prominent figure in Israel's ultra-nationalist government, in May declared that Gaza "will be entirely destroyed" and that its civilian population would "start to leave in great numbers to third countries"—remarks widely decried as advocating ethnic cleansing. Smotrich, who resides in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, has long championed the expansion of settlements in defiance of international law and called for the full annexation of Palestinian territory. Ben Gvir, known for his extremism, has repeatedly provoked outrage with statements challenging Jerusalem's religious status quo. Last year, he proposed building a Jewish synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound—widely seen as an attack on Muslim sovereignty over one of Islam's holiest sites. In June, Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir in response to their extreme views and actions. On May 21, President Nataša Pirc Musar in an address to the European parliament urged the EU to take stronger action, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Slovenia was in May among six European countries to say that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to intensify its genocidal assault on the Palestinian territory. Last year, Slovenia also formally recognized a Palestinian state, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Norway, and Spain—actions driven by a strong condemnation of Israel's brutal war and suffocating blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces have now killed over 58,000 Palestinians in the besieged enclave. Nearly 150 countries recognize a Palestinian state. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
National Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Netanyahu lands in DC for meeting with Trump at White House
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his delegation landed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington on Monday morning, ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Article content Following his arrival, the Israeli leader was scheduled to meet with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Macro Rubio for a 'preparatory meeting' ahead of a closed dinner with Trump, expected to take place around 6 p.m. Washington time, according to the schedule. Article content Article content Article content The United States is pressuring Qatar to 'deliver' on efforts to finalize a deal for the release of hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization, according to Israel Hayom. A source familiar with the matter told the outlet that from the White House's perspective, with Israel having responded positively to the latest ceasefire proposal, it is now Qatar's responsibility to ensure Hamas agrees as well. Article content Article content The Israeli negotiating team in Doha updated Netanyahu's entourage that the atmosphere of the talks regarding the hostages is positive. A member of the prime minister's delegation rejected reports that the negotiations had stalled and said there was a good chance of reaching an agreement during Netanyahu's visit. Article content Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told JNS on Monday that the prime minister 'wants a deal' to free the hostages. Article content Article content 'It's in the open, he doesn't accept my position,' said Ben-Gvir, speaking with JNS at a Knesset meeting of his Otzma Yehudit Party. 'I think that's a big mistake. We have a disagreement on this subject. Article content Article content 'We agreed about [the targeted killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah, we agreed about Iran, we agreed on many things. On this subject, he does not agree with me,' he added. Article content Last week, Trump said that 'we're close to a deal on Gaza,' adding: 'I think there's a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the coming week. We've gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out.' Article content Looking ahead to his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said the two leaders would discuss a range of issues, starting with what he called the 'great success' of Israel's recent military operation against Iran. 'We had an incredible success, like nobody's had in many, many years. That was a precision war strike,' Trump said, referring to the American bombing of the Fordow nuclear site. Article content 'The word 'obliteration' can now be used because the Atomic Energy Commission said you can't even get into the place. It was demolished. It was really demolished. It was a great, brilliant strike, and [we'll discuss] how to go forward,' the president asserted. Article content Religious Zionism Knesset member Simcha Rothman told JNS on Monday that there exists an opportunity, following the victory over Iran, 'to create a new reality in the Middle East—and I believe there are no people more suited to do it than President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Article content 'I see many people talking about friction between them ever since the day Trump was elected,' Rothman continued. 'It's more wishful thinking on their part than reality. I don't think we've ever seen an American president and an Israeli prime minister this coordinated, and I'm sure it will stay that way.' Article content Yesh Atid lawmaker Naor Shiri told JNS on Monday that the bilateral talks should 'focus on the hostages, the end of the fighting in Gaza, the day after and the continuation of the campaign against Iran. Article content
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ben-Gvir rallies Smotrich to block Gaza ceasefire, opposition offers Netanyahu 'safety net'
Yair Lapid said the opposition would offer Netanyahu support to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal, should Ben-Gvir and Smotrich oppose. Otzma Yehudit chair MK Itamar Ben-Gvir appealed to Religious Zionist Party leader Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join him in opposing a hostage deal that would include a ceasefire in Gaza, N12 reported on Wednesday. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir's reported plea to Smotrich follows US President Donald Trump's claim that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release. However, sources close to the RZP leader said that the Otzma Yehudit head had not approached him on the matter and that the meeting was never scheduled, local media reported. 'The issue of victory in Gaza is far too significant, and the lives of the hostages are far too precious, to play media briefing games. The finance minister has been working on this matter with full force and the utmost seriousness for quite some time,' the source said. Ben-Gvir opposes reaching a deal that would end the war in Gaza and believes that combining the political power of Otzma Yehudit and the RZP would prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from moving forward on the deal, N12 reported. The ministers had run together in the last election. Smotrich said on Monday that he would oppose any agreements that would include ending the fighting in Gaza. Ben-Gvir's offer to the finance minister also follows recent political maneuvers in the opposition, including speculation that National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz could join Netanyahu's bloc in the case of a ceasefire deal. Opposition head and Yesh Atid chief MK Yair Lapid on Wednesday offered Netanyahu 'a safety net for a hostage deal' with his party should Ben-Gvir and Smotrich oppose a deal. 'Netanyahu, against the 13 fingers of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, you have my 23 fingers for a safety net for a hostage deal. We need to bring them all home now.' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar issued support for a deal in a post to X/Twitter, saying, 'There is a great majority in the government and also among the people for a framework to release hostages.' 'If there is an opportunity to do so, we must not miss it!'
