By Romana Rubeo

The Israeli president, who declared in October that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, is now calling for the dismissal of right-wing extremist ministers from the Israeli government.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Saturday that “Kahanism must be removed from the government,” Israeli media reported.

The comments were reportedly made near his home in Tel Aviv when he was confronted by a group of activists.

According to the Times of Israel, one of the activists told the president: “You are the president of a Kahanist government, you should be outraged!” He was referring to Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a proud follower of Rabbi Meir Kahane.

“Of course, Kahanism must be removed from the government,” Herzog was quoted as saying.

However, when asked about the violent rampage carried out by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank in recent days, Herzog replied that of the “half a million Israeli citizens” living in the West Bank settlements, “99 percent are law-abiding,” according to the Israeli newspaper.

The president also reportedly added that he believes in “the State of Israel, Israeli society and Israeli democracy.”

הבוקר בצהלה: נשיא המדינה יצחק הרצוג מתבכיין שבכלל עושים לו עוול! (רחמים). לדבריו הוא הנשיא של כולם, והוא לא אמור לנקוט עמדה.

לא אמור לנקוט עמדה מוסרית, בזמן שממשלת חניבעל מקריבה למוות 115 ם ישראלים, מחסלת את הדמוקרטיה, את הכלכלה ואת הביטחון, מאפשרת למחבלים Good morning… pic.twitter.com/VTyRVLNaZN

— Nava Rozolyo נאווה רוזוליו (@rozolyo) 17 August 2024

Ben-Gvir, together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, strongly opposes an agreement that would see the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli prisoners and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On October 13, Herzog suggested at a press conference that civilians in the Gaza Strip were legitimate targets.

“There is a whole nation out there responsible,” he said. “This rhetoric that the civilians didn’t know anything and weren’t involved is not true. That is absolutely not true. They could have risen up. They could have fought against this evil regime that took over Gaza through a coup.”

Two months later, in December, a photo circulated on social media showing President Isaac Herzog writing the phrase “I rely on you” on a grenade that was to be fired at Gaza.

Ongoing genocide

Israel is ignoring a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and is facing international criticism for its ongoing brutal offensive on Gaza.

Israel, which is currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against the Palestinians, has been waging a devastating war against Gaza since October 7.

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According to the Gaza Health Ministry In Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 40,005 Palestinians were killed and 92,401 injured.

In addition, at least 11,000 people are missing and are believed to be lying dead under the rubble of their homes throughout the Gaza Strip.

According to Israel, 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the flood relief operation in Al-Aqsa on October 7. Israeli media reported that many Israelis were killed by friendly fire that day.

(The Palestine Chronicle)

– Romana Rubeo is an Italian writer and editor-in-chief of The Palestine Chronicle. Her articles have appeared in numerous online newspapers and academic journals. She holds a master’s degree in foreign languages ​​and literature and specializes in audiovisual and journalistic translation.