Ben-Gvir calls for nightly killing and mass emigration of Palestinians; hardline rhetoric gains traction ahead of Israeli election

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli lawmaker, has stirred controversy by advocating for the nightly killing of Palestinians in Gaza, suggesting that 30 to 40 individuals should be targeted each night. His comments, which surfaced recently, have been widely reported and reflect a growing acceptance of extremist views in Israeli politics.¹

Ben-Gvir stated, “Not just those who pose an immediate threat, there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people,” indicating a dehumanizing perspective towards Palestinians. This rhetoric has raised alarms, as similar statements have previously been condemned and presented as evidence of genocidal intent to international bodies.

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 100,000 Palestinian deaths in the past two years, according to medical sources, yet Israel denies any allegations of genocide. Ben-Gvir's hardline stance has gained traction following the Hamas offensive, with many Israelis increasingly supporting his calls for stricter measures against the group.³

Despite his rising popularity, Ben-Gvir, who has been banned in over 10 countries, including France and the UK, does not hold military power and cannot directly order strikes on Gaza. His comments come as the Israeli election approaches on October 27, highlighting a significant shift towards more extreme ideologies within the political landscape.