Many pro-Israeli voices have claimed that Hamas’ intentions are genocidal while Israel’s is peace. ‘The bombing of Gaza is against Hamas and is no indication of genocide’, they say. We found many quotes from Israeli government officials that strongly indicate genocidal intentions and they are listed below.
President of Israel Isaac Hertzog: “It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible.” He argues that there are no innocents because they could have “risen up” and “fought against that evil regime” [1].
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister: “You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible. And we do remember” [2]. The demise of Amalek at the hands of the Biblical Israelites is seen in 1 Samuel 15:3; “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroyall that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
IDF spokesperson R Adm Daniel Hagari: Admitted that “hundreds of tons of bombs” have been dropped and that “the emphasis is on damage and not accuracy” [3].
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant: “Gaza won’t return to what it was before. We will eliminate everything” [4].
Giora Eiland, Former Head of the Israeli National Security Council: Eiland posited that “The entire population of Gaza will either move to Egypt or move to the Gulf” [5].
Dror Eydar, Former Israeli Ambassador to Italy: On Stasera Italia, Eydar remarked that Israelis are not interested in “rational Palestinian talks” and aim to “destroy Gaza.” No specificity was placed on Hamas [6].
Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu: “North Gaza is more beautiful than ever. Blowing up everything is amazing. When finished, we will hand over the lands of Gaza to soldiers & settlers who lived in Gush Katif” [7].
MK Boaz Bismut: As reported by an Israeli news outlet, Bismut emphasized, “There is no place for any humanitarian gesture – the memory of Amalek must be” [8].
Yair Lapid, Leader of Yesh Atid: Lapid, perceived as a centrist politician, reportedly said, “There are no West Bank settlements, there is no Israeli occupation, we are on our biblical lands,” indicating a support for the internationally-illegal settlements in the West Bank [9].
[1] X (formerly Twitter). (n.d.). https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1712938760092913919. [online] Available at: https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1712938760092913919 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[2] Giatti, I.M. and Reporter, C.P. (2023). ‘Remember what Amalek has done to you’: Netanyahu compares Hamas to rival of the Israelites. [online] The Christian Post. Available at: https://www.christianpost.com/news/netanyahu-compares-hamas-to-amalek-rival-of-the-israelites.html [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[3] McKernan, B. and Kierszenbaum, Q. (2023). ‘Emphasis is on damage, not accuracy’: ground offensive into Gaza seems imminent. The Guardian. [online] 10 Oct. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/10/right-now-it-is-one-day-at-a-time-life-on-israels-frontline-with-gaza [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023].
[4] X (formerly Twitter). (n.d.). https://twitter.com/therapisthammam/status/1712877548420345989?s=20. [online] Available at: https://twitter.com/therapisthammam/status/1712877548420345989?s=20 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[5] Samuel, S. (2023). Palestinians fear they’re being displaced permanently. Here’s why that’s logical. [online] Vox. Available at: https://www.vox.com/world-politics/23933707/israel-palestine-hamas-gaza-nakba-displacement-refugees-history [Accessed 10 Nov. 2023].
[6] X (formerly Twitter). (n.d.). https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1719025745626910862?s=20. [online] Available at: https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1719025745626910862?s=20 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[7] X (formerly Twitter). (n.d.). https://twitter.com/Lowkey0nline/status/1720018361973658047. [online] Available at: https://twitter.com/Lowkey0nline/status/1720018361973658047 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[8] ח”כ בועז ביסמוט: אין מקום לשום מחווה הומניטרית – יש למחות את זכר עמלק (2023). ח”כ בועז ביסמוט: אין מקום לשום מחווה הומניטרית – יש למחות את זכר עמלק. [online] ערוץ 7. Available at: https://www.inn.co.il/flashes/954554 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
[9] X (formerly Twitter). (n.d.). https://twitter.com/DariusRochebin/status/1721133116448800820. [online] Available at: https://twitter.com/DariusRochebin/status/1721133116448800820 [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].
