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wapoSEP 2023
Israel Allies Criticize Minister’s Remarks That Gaza Starvation May be Justified
Above: Israeli Minister of finance and leader of National Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, speaks to the press during a party meeting on February 5, 2024 in Jerusalem. Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US and its allies have continued to call for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and for Israel to investigate possible abuses committed by its forces. Smotrich represents the fringe of Israeli society and his remarks do not speak for all Israelis.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Smotrich's genocidal rhetoric only demonstrates how mainstream such sentiments have become in Israeli society. Its a bare minimum that Western nations condemn these comments, as they have done so little to prevent the practices which Smotrich has advocated.