Criticism against Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is intensifying. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) denounced the calls for targeted killings of Palestinians in Gaza. Deputy government spokesman Sebastian Gill said in Berlin that the chancellor condemns the inhumane calls that violate international law and regards them as unacceptable.
Earlier, the far‑right Ben-Gvir urged the nightly killing of dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, urging people to “kill 30‑40 people every night”. He argued that the violence should not be limited to those who pose an immediate threat, adding: “There are people who are not worthy of life. They should not live. They are not even human.”
Similar statements by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli politicians have previously drawn sharp international criticism. These remarks were presented as possible evidence of Israel’s intent to commit genocide before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Israel rejects the genocide accusations concerning the Gaza Strip.
Discussion of EU sanctions and actions by individual countries
At the EU level, sanctions against Ben-Gvir have been debated for years, notably at the June EU summit. Such measures would entail an entry ban and the freezing of assets located in Europe, but they require a unanimous decision by the EU Council. Recently, Czechia has been the main opponent of adding Ben-Gvir to the EU sanctions list.
Some member states have already taken their own steps. For example, Ireland, France, Spain and Slovenia have imposed entry bans on Ben-Gvir. The German government has so far exercised restraint while signalling a willingness to engage in further discussion.
Government spokesman Gill referred to the recent EU summit decision to prepare targeted measures against radical politicians who call for violations of human dignity and international law. The issue will be examined by foreign ministers at a forthcoming meeting. For the EU foreign ministers’ gathering in early September, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas “will present new proposals,” Gill said. The agenda will also include a possible response to Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank. “Israel, as an occupying power, must treat Palestinians with dignity, protect their property, and ensure civil administration and humanitarian aid,” he added.
Criticism of Israel’s settlement project
Separately, Merz criticised the tender issued by Israel’s Ministry of Construction for a settlement project in the West Bank. Gill noted that the chancellor is watching the Israeli government’s latest steps with great concern. He stressed that “there should be no further steps of annexation in the West Bank, neither formal nor political, constructional or other measures that increasingly lead to annexation. They hinder the implementation of the decision to create two states.”
The spokesman also reiterated that Israel, as an occupying power, must treat Palestinians with dignity, protect their property, and ensure civil administration and humanitarian aid. At the same time, the chancellor consistently makes clear that Germany supports the existence and security of Israel.
The tender envisages the construction of more than 1,200 housing units in the so‑called E1 zone, located between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. This area is regarded as one of the most sensitive points in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, as such construction would effectively divide the West Bank into northern and southern parts.
According to: Der Spiegel
