German lawmakers call for EU sanctions on Israel’s Ben-Gvir over Gaza killing remarks

German lawmakers from the governing coalition have called for the EU to impose sanctions on Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, following his remarks advocating for nightly targeted killings in Gaza. Ben-Gvir, the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, stated in a podcast last Saturday that 30 to 40 people should be killed each night in Gaza, not just those posing an immediate threat, but also those deemed unworthy of life.

The conservative and social-democrat lawmakers' call for sanctions has been met with strong condemnation from various quarters, including Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives, the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union, and the Social Democrats. They argue that Ben-Gvir's inhumane remarks violate universal human dignity and rights.

The criticism has extended across the political spectrum, with the Left's Dietmar Bartsch and the Green MP Marlene Schönberger also calling for sanctions against Ben-Gvir and his fellow far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The shift in Berlin's stance marks a significant change, as Germany has previously resisted EU measures targeting Israel, including proposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir in June.

However, the German Foreign Ministry has yet to take a formal position on the matter, with some officials fearing that sanctioning Ben-Gvir before Israel's October 27 election could benefit him. The EU sanctions process requires unanimity, giving Germany considerable influence over whether the bloc can take action. The Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet EU counterparts in Ireland on September 1 and 2, where Ben-Gvir's remarks and the ongoing conflict in Gaza are expected to be key topics of discussion.