Germany pushes EU to sanction Israeli minister after appeal to kill “30 to 40” Gazans nightly

German CDU/CSU-SPD government has urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his "inhumane" proposal to kill 30 to 40 Palestinians each night in Gaza. CDU/CSU spokesperson Jürgen Hardt stated that Ben-Gvir's statements are "inhumane" and should be condemned, calling for EU sanctions to uphold the "universal validity of human dignity and human rights".

Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir has suggested "targeted killings" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, regardless of whether they pose an immediate threat. Hardt also mentioned that expelling Ben-Gvir and other far-right Israeli officials from the government could strengthen EU-Isreal relations. The Central Council of Jews in Germany has distanced itself from Ben-Gvir, calling his actions "diametrically opposed to Jewish values" and deeply shameful.

This is not the first time Ben-Gvir's behavior has sparked criticism from European governments allied with Israel. In May, he sparked a diplomatic crisis after posting a video of IDF soldiers mistreating flotilla activists. Multiple EU leaders, including German Foreign Minister Johann Wagner (CDU), condemned the video, and France and Poland placed an entry ban on Ben-Gvir.

Following a raid on a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza in October 2025, 25-year-old Anna Liedtke, a flotilla member, became the first detainee to speak publicly about being sexually assaulted by IDF soldiers during her detention. Over a dozen other detainees have also reported sexual assault by IDF soldiers. EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss possible sanctions and entry bans for Ben-Gvir at a meeting in Ireland on September 1 and 2.