US-Israel-Iran War Live: U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen called for Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to resign, denouncing his remarks advocating for the nightly killing of “30 to 40” people in Gaza as “horrific and completely indefensible”. During an appearance on the inaugural episode of the “October 8” podcast hosted by former hostage Rom Braslavski, Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict. Ben-Gvir advocated for conducting nightly targeted assassinations in Gaza to “take down 30 to 40 every night”. He further sparked widespread outrage by stating that those targeted “are not worthy of life,” adding, “They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people”.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: Senator Rosen’s Response
Following the circulation of these remarks, Senator Jacky Rosen posted an official statement on X explicitly demanding Ben-Gvir step down:
-
Condemnation: She characterized his remarks as “horrific and completely indefensible”.
-
Position on Office: Rosen stated that “anyone advocating for acts of violence against innocent civilians should not be in an official government position”.
-
Call to Action: She demanded Ben-Gvir’s immediate resignation and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to formally denounce the statements to clarify that they do not represent the official stance of the Israeli government.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: Specific Remarks and Podcast Context
Ben-Gvir’s statements emerged during his appearance on the inaugural episode of “October 8,” a podcast hosted by Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli captive who had been held in Gaza. During the discussion on how Israel should recover and manage operations, Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s drawdown of military strikes.
-
The Quote: Ben-Gvir stated, “I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night. 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.”
-
Territorial Claims: He further stated that he views “all of Gaza as ours,” pushing for the complete displacement and mass emigration of Palestinians alongside the rebuilding of Israeli settlements throughout the territory.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: Senator Jacky Rosen’s Stance
Senator Jacky Rosen’s sharp public demand for Ben-Gvir’s resignation aligns with a long-standing pattern of her refusing to engage with Israel’s far-right factions.
-
Prior Boycotts: As a prominent pro-Israel Democrat and co-chair of the Senate’s Abraham Accords Caucus, Rosen previously led a bipartisan delegation to Israel and explicitly requested that no members of Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party or Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party be permitted to attend their meetings.
-
Bipartisan Ties: Her latest condemnation emphasizes a growing concern among traditional pro-Israel U.S. lawmakers that far-right rhetoric is severely damaging the historic bipartisan foundation of the U.S.–Israel alliance.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: International and Domestic Fallout
The backlash to the podcast has triggered distinct reactions globally and domestically:
-
Legal Implications: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and international legal experts noted that Ben-Gvir’s dehumanizing language provides further baseline material for the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding cases monitoring genocidal intent.
-
European Condemnation: European Jewish leadership, including Elie Rosen, president of the Jewish Community of Salzburg, strongly condemned the remarks, calling Ben-Gvir “a disgrace to the entire Jewish people” and demanding his immediate dismissal.
-
Domestic Israeli Politics: While mainstream media in Israel has given the podcast remarks limited coverage, political analysts point out that Ben-Gvir’s fringe rhetoric has seen a surge in popularity among his nationalist base ahead of the upcoming Israeli legislative elections scheduled for October 27.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: Broader Consequences
Ben-Gvir’s comments have drawn intense global media scrutiny and swift political backlash. International legal experts note that similar rhetoric from far-right cabinet members has previously been cited before the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) as evidence of genocidal intent. While Ben-Gvir oversees domestic apparatuses like the national police and the prison service, he does not possess direct command over the Israeli military or the authority to mandate airstrikes in Gaza.
