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

Claim Analysis: Advocacy for War Crimes and Genocide by Israeli Far-Right Figures

1. Introduction

The claim under scrutiny states that Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far-right figures in Israel have advocated for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, characterizing this perspective as fringe and not representative of most Israelis. This assertion raises significant questions regarding the statements and actions of these political figures, as well as the broader context of Israeli public opinion.

2. What We Know

Several sources provide insights into the actions and statements of Ben Gvir and Smotrich:

• Advocacy for Controversial Policies: Both Ben Gvir and Smotrich have been associated with controversial policies regarding Palestinians, including calls for the relocation of Palestinian populations. For instance, a report notes that their rhetoric has been linked to allegations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) 58.

• Legal Actions Against Officials: South Korea has filed lawsuits against high-ranking Israeli officials, including Ben Gvir and Smotrich, alleging war crimes 24. This legal action indicates a significant international response to their policies and statements.

• International Reactions: European Union officials have suggested considering sanctions against Ben Gvir and Smotrich for their incitement, which has been interpreted as advocating for war crimes 6. This reflects a growing concern among international actors regarding their influence and rhetoric.

• Public Perception: While the claim asserts that these views are fringe, it is essential to note that Ben Gvir and Smotrich hold significant political power within Israel, which complicates the notion of their views being entirely marginal 9.

3. Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim involves a mix of direct statements from Ben Gvir and Smotrich, international legal actions, and reactions from various governments and organizations.

• Source Credibility: The sources cited vary in reliability. For example, mainstream news outlets like NBC News and Ynet News provide journalistic coverage of the events, which typically adhere to editorial standards. However, opinion pieces from platforms like Newsweek may reflect bias and should be interpreted as subjective interpretations rather than objective reporting 35.

• Potential Bias: Some sources, such as Middle East Eye and Haaretz, may have editorial slants that could influence their portrayal of Israeli politics and figures. It is crucial to consider these biases when evaluating their claims about Ben Gvir and Smotrich 810.

• Methodology of Claims: The allegations of genocide and war crimes are serious and require a robust evidentiary basis. The sources discussing these claims often rely on interpretations of statements made by Ben Gvir and Smotrich, which can be subjective. For example, the characterization of their rhetoric as incitement to genocide may depend on the interpretation of their statements within a broader political context 68.

• Public Opinion Context: The assertion that these views are fringe needs further exploration. Polling data or studies reflecting the general sentiment of the Israeli populace towards these figures and their policies would provide a clearer picture of how representative their views are. Currently, the sources do not provide comprehensive polling data to substantiate the claim of their views being fringe 9.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and other far-right figures in Israel have advocated for war crimes and genocide is partially true. Evidence indicates that these politicians have made controversial statements and supported policies that could be interpreted as incitement to violence against Palestinians. Legal actions taken against them, such as lawsuits alleging war crimes, further substantiate the seriousness of these claims. However, the assertion that their views are fringe is complicated by their significant political power and influence within Israel, suggesting that they may not be as marginal as the claim implies.

It is important to note that the interpretation of their rhetoric can vary widely, and the evidence available does not provide a definitive consensus on the extent to which their views represent broader Israeli public opinion. Additionally, the sources used in this analysis vary in reliability and may contain biases that affect their portrayal of these political figures.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the complexities involved in assessing the statements and actions of political figures in contentious contexts. The nuances of public opinion and the varying interpretations of political rhetoric should be taken into account when forming conclusions on such sensitive topics.

5. Sources

1. The mainstreaming of Israeli extremism - Middle East Institute. Link
2. South Korea issues lawsuits against high-ranking Israeli officials for ... - Ynet News. Link
3. The Worst Man in Israel Makes a 'Moral' Argument for ... - Newsweek. Link
4. Fact Check: South Korea Files Lawsuit Against Israel - Koreaboo. Link
5. Israel genocide case at ICJ comes amid Gaza displacement talk - NBC News. Link
6. EU’s Borrell: Consider sanctions on Ben Gvir, Smotrich for ... - Times of Israel. Link
7. Smotrich slams Ben Gvir for leaving gov't, skirting 'national ... - i24NEWS. Link
8. Ben Gvir and Smotrich pose an existential threat to ... - Middle East Eye. Link
9. Reading Between Smotrich and Ben Gvir's Lines - Israel Policy Forum. Link
10. Israeli activists call on U.S. to sanction Ben-Gvir, Smotrich ... - Haaretz. Link