Rabat – The US and France have responded to remarks by Israeli extremist ministers, who have been pushing and forcing Palestinians to leave Gaza.
The unanimous condemnation comes after Israel’s Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar, Ben Gvir, once again expressed their disdain and hatred of Palestinians by calling for their forced displacement from Gaza amid Israel’s murderous campaign in the besieged enclave.
France condemned the comments by the two far-right Israeli ministers, calling on Israel to “refrain from such provocative declarations, which are irresponsible and fuel tensions.”
In a rare criticism of the Israeli government, the US State Department also issued a press release rebuking Smotrich and Ben Gvir for calling on Israel to commit to driving Palestinians out of Gaza.
“We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land,” the US State Department said in the statement.
Read also: Controversial Israeli Finance Minister Supports ‘Palestinian Migration’ From Gaza
This statement, however, comes in the midst of unwavering US support for the Israeli government, with the support having been particularly evident in Washington’s rejection of the global community’s overwhelming call for an immediate ceasefire to stop the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The US has vetoed every attempt at a ceasefire, supporting Israel’s self-proclaimed right to defend itself in a devastating war that has primarily targeted civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have killed over 22,313 in Gaza, including at least 9,100 children, while the number of injured Gazans has reached 57,296, including 8,663 children. Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people are still missing or under the rubble.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have killed at least 324 since October 7, including 84 children, while at least 3,800 others have sustained injuries.
Sadly, the death and injury toll is widely expected to rise as Israeli occupation forces continue to intensify their savage, punitive attacks on hospitals, places of worship, and refugee camps in Gaza.
