Statements about Gaza have drawn a reaction from the European Commission, whose foreign affairs spokesperson, Anouar el Anouni, described remarks by Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as unacceptable and provocative.
Speaking at a daily press briefing, El Anouni responded to a question about Yosef’s claim that Israel owns all Palestinian territories and his call for the complete destruction of Gaza. The spokesperson said such provocative language was wholly unacceptable.
El Anouni said all parties should work to reduce tensions rather than escalate them and called for the immediate end of intimidation, harassment and settler violence.
Strongly condemning similar remarks by Ben-Gvir, the spokesperson said the Israeli government had a responsibility to prevent such rhetoric, taking into account the minister’s position. El Anouni said extremely grave and provocative statements should not go unanswered.
El Anouni also recalled that the European Commission had submitted its proposal to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir to the Council of the European Union.
Call to protect civilians in Gaza
El Anouni also answered a question about threats to intensify attacks over the flying of kites in Gaza and forcibly displace Palestinians. The spokesperson said civilians, especially children, must be protected under all circumstances, adding that this was an obligation under international humanitarian law.
El Anouni said Israel had an obligation under international law to protect the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and stated that the EU’s position on a two-state solution was clear.
The spokesperson said there was no solution other than Israel and Palestine existing as two democratic states living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders.
Statements by Yosef and Ben-Gvir
In a statement on August 23, David Yosef claimed that Israel owned all Palestinian territories and called for the complete destruction of Gaza. Yosef also argued that Gaza, Nablus and Jenin belonged to Israel.
Yosef’s remarks brought Ben-Gvir’s statements from August 16 back into focus. Ben-Gvir had said that 30 to 40 attacks should be carried out against Gaza every night and that there were people in the area who should not be living there.
The attacks were intensified as Israel escalated its assault on Gaza and threatened to exile Palestinians, with the strikes increased on the grounds that kites were being flown.
