Fact Check: Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far right figures in Israel have advocated for War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This is a fringe view not represented by most Israelis

Fact Check: "Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far right figures in Israel have advocated for War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This is a fringe view not represented by most Israelis"

What We Know

Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are prominent figures in Israel's far-right political landscape, both serving in key positions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. They have made statements that have been interpreted as advocating for extreme measures against Palestinians, including calls for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. For instance, the British Foreign Secretary has condemned their rhetoric as "monstrous" and indicative of incitement to violence and serious human rights abuses (source-2).

Moreover, a report from the Middle East Institute highlights that senior officials in Israel have used genocidal rhetoric, and military operations have often blurred the lines between combatants and civilians (source-1). This has raised alarms internationally, leading to sanctions from several Western countries against these ministers for their incitement of violence (source-3).

However, the claim that this view is "fringe" is more complex. While many Israelis do not support the extreme positions of Ben Gvir and Smotrich, a significant portion of the public has shown support for military actions in Gaza, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which resulted in substantial civilian casualties in Israel (source-1). A Pew Research poll indicated that only 4% of Israeli Jews considered the military response excessive, reflecting a broader acceptance of aggressive military strategies against perceived threats (source-1).

Analysis

The assertion that Ben Gvir and Smotrich advocate for war crimes and genocide is supported by their public statements and the reactions from international bodies. Their calls for harsh measures against Palestinians have been characterized as incitements to violence, leading to sanctions from multiple countries, which underscores the severity of their rhetoric (source-2, source-3).

However, the characterization of these views as "fringe" is more nuanced. While mainstream Israeli society may not fully endorse the extreme positions of these ministers, there is a significant overlap in the public's support for military actions in Gaza, particularly in light of security concerns following attacks from Hamas (source-1). This suggests that while the extreme rhetoric may not represent the majority view, it is not entirely disconnected from broader public sentiment regarding security and military responses.

The sources used in this analysis vary in reliability. The Middle East Institute is generally regarded as a credible source for analysis on Middle Eastern affairs, while mainstream media outlets like The New York Times and BBC provide well-researched reporting. However, the framing of issues can sometimes reflect the biases of the outlets, particularly in politically charged contexts.

Conclusion

The claim that Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far-right figures in Israel have advocated for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence supporting the assertion that these figures have made extreme statements and advocated for aggressive policies, the characterization of these views as "fringe" does not fully account for the significant support within Israeli society for military actions against perceived threats. This indicates a complex interplay between extreme political rhetoric and broader public sentiment, suggesting that while the views of Ben Gvir and Smotrich may be extreme, they resonate with a notable segment of the population, particularly in times of heightened conflict.

Fact Check: Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far right figures in Israel have advocated for War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This is a fringe view not represented by most Israelis