UAE’s Habtoor berates Israel as minister urges killings in Gaza

UAE billionaire Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has vehemently criticized Israel's rhetoric urging the execution of individuals in Gaza. In a recent post on social media platform X, the prominent businessman and philanthropist rebuked Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for advocating for the killing of 30 to 40 people in Gaza nightly.

Habtoor deemed Ben-Gvir's statements "openly and without shame" as if those he referred to are not entitled to life. In a strongly worded message, he questioned how an official could bestow the authority to decide who lives or dies. Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, emphasized that dehumanizing and advocating for the murder of human beings represents a profound moral failure that cannot be ignored.

He called upon the international community to acknowledge the peril of such language becoming commonplace in political discourse. Habtoor aligned himself with the stance of several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia, which oppose policies endangering Palestinian rights.

The UAE entrepreneur underscored that the inhabitants of Gaza, including children, women, and men, are human beings deserving of life and dignity. While he acknowledged the potential for negotiation on borders, security, and interests, he firmly asserted that the sanctity of human life is non-negotiable. Habtoor's condemnation of Israel's Minister of National Security highlights the growing concern over the normalization of dangerous rhetoric that threatens human rights.