The United States (US) has expressed strong disapproval of Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir over his assertion that his rights in the occupied West Bank take precedence over those of Palestinians.
The State Department issued a condemnation, denouncing his “provocative statements” and “all forms of discriminatory language.”
The comments he made during an appearance on Israeli television triggered a wave of backlash on social media.
Ben Gvir has subsequently labeled the coverage as “false information” and criticized the “radical left” for misrepresenting his words.
On the platform formerly known as Twitter, he launched a vehement attack against Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid, who had shared a video clip of his remarks on her Instagram account, where she boasts 60 million followers.
Ben Gvir referred to her as an “Israel detractor” who distorted his words to portray him as “racist and malevolent.”
At the helm of the ultranationalist “Jewish Power” party, also known as Otzma Yehudit, Ben Gvir advocates for policies characterized by racism and animosity toward Arabs. He carries prior convictions for inciting racism and endorsing terrorism.
In a move that attracted widespread attention, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed him as a top minister in December.
This role granted him a position within the security cabinet, overseeing domestic law enforcement, as well as the militarized border police operating in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The European Union (EU) joined in the chorus of condemnation, echoing the sentiment expressed by the US.
The EU decried Ben Gvir’s statements, emphasizing that the principles of democracy and respect for human rights are central to their partnership with Israel, including concerns related to the Palestinian population living under occupation in the territory.
