Israeli far right ministers reject US criticism of calls to expel Palestinians from Gaza

JERUSALEM (AA) – Two Israeli ministers have rejected US criticism of their calls for expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said 70% of Israelis support a “humanitarian solution” for encouraging the emigration of Gazans.

“Two million people [Palestinians in Gaza] wake up every morning with a desire to destroy the State of Israel and slaughter, rape, and murder Jews,” Smotrich was quoted as saying by Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the Israeli government “will do what is best for the State of Israel,” in reference to his call for emptying Gaza of its residents.

“I deeply appreciate the United States of America, but with all due respect, we are not just another star on the American flag,” Ben-Gvir wrote on his X account.

Washington had rejected what it called “irresponsible” statements by Israeli ministers about expelling Palestinians from Gaza.

“The United States rejects recent statements from Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza,” State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“This rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible,” he added.

Since October 7, the US has been the staunchest supporter of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza diplomatically, financially and militarily, enabling the assault that has reduced Gaza to rubble and killed over 22,300 people, mostly children and women.