Ben-Gvir Urges Killing PA Officials if UN Supports Palestinian State
In a recent statement, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir intensified his rhetoric around Palestinian statehood and officials. He asserted that if the United Nations recognizes Palestinian statehood, then targeted attacks against Palestinian Authority (PA) officials should be ordered.
Ben-Gvir’s Controversial Remarks
Speaking at a meeting of his Otzma Yehudit party, Ben-Gvir referred to high-ranking PA figures as “terrorists.” This comment was reported by various Israeli news outlets. He emphasized that any move towards recognizing a Palestinian state would necessitate severe actions against PA leaders.
“If they accelerate the recognition of the Palestinian terrorist state, targeted assassinations of senior PA officials should be carried out,” Ben-Gvir stated. His inflammatory language prompted condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the Palestinian presidency.
International Reactions
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry labeled Ben-Gvir’s remarks as “systematic incitement.” They urged global actors to take tangible steps against him. The presidency held the Israeli government accountable for these statements, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding Palestinian statehood discussions.
Upcoming UN Vote and Its Implications
The UN Security Council was set to vote on a resolution endorsing a Gaza ceasefire, proposed by the Trump administration, which includes notions of Palestinian self-determination. Ben-Gvir threatened that if this vote supports Palestinian statehood, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should face arrest, claiming a cell is “ready for him” at Ketziot prison.
Israel’s Position on Palestinian Governance
- Israeli leaders firmly oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- Ben-Gvir denied the existence of a Palestinian people, calling them “immigrants from Arab countries.”
- He also supports “voluntary migration” for Palestinians, a claim criticized as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Coalition Against Palestinian Statehood
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured his far-right allies of his unyielding stance against a Palestinian state. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is advocating for the annexation of Palestinian territories as a countermeasure to rising international support for Palestinian sovereignty.
Concerns Over Governance in Gaza
While Israeli officials are unified in their refusal to allow the PA governance in Gaza, a U.S. plan envisions a role for it, contingent on substantial reforms. This plan suggests an international overseen governance model alongside a Palestinian administration, which has faced criticism from Palestinian factions concerned about foreign interference in their affairs.
As these complex dynamics unfold, it remains clear that both local and international responses will significantly influence the future of Palestinian statehood.
