German Lawmakers Push EU Sanctions Over Israeli Minister’s Call for Nightly Killings in Gaza

The remarks were made in a podcast with former hostage Rom Braslavski that surfaced on August 16. German politicians from the governing coalition and opposition responded by urging the European Union to sanction Ben-Gvir, citing the remarks as a breach of human-rights norms.

Democracy Now

Ben-Gvir, a leading figure in the far-right Jewish Power party, sits on Israel’s security cabinet and oversees police and prison services. His statements arrived amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that began after the October 7 2023 attacks. The EU has struggled to achieve unanimity on sanctions against Israeli officials, a hurdle noted by EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas on June 15.

Brussels Signal

• August 16 – Ben-Gvir’s podcast interview calls for nightly killings of 30–40 Palestinians.

Itamar Ben-Gvir Calls for Israel to Kill 30-40 Palestinians in Gaza Every Night

• June 15 – Kaja Kallas reports lack of unanimity among EU states for sanctions.

Brussels Signal

• Early September – German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul scheduled to meet EU counterparts in Ireland; Ben-Gvir’s comments expected to dominate talks.

Politico Europe

• August 17 – Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi labels the remarks a “nightly quota” on X.

Brussels Signal

German CDU/CSU foreign-policy spokesman Jürgen Hardt condemned the remarks as “inhumane” and urged EU sanctions. Social-Democratic spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic called the comments shocking. The Left’s Dietmar Bartsch, Green MP Marlene Schönberger, and AfD’s Markus Frohnmaier also demanded action.

Politico Europe

Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil urged the EU to “seriously consider” sanctions, while Green co-leader Franziska Brantner called for an entry ban.

German vice chancellor calls for serious consideration of EU sanctions against Israeli minister

At the EU level, Kaja Kallas reiterated that sanctions require unanimity, noting that Spain, France, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium have already banned Ben-Gvir, while Czechia would block any EU measure. The German Foreign Ministry has not taken an official position.

Brussels Signal

The push for EU sanctions reflects a rare cross-party consensus in Germany, a country that has traditionally resisted punitive measures against Israel. Sanctions could test Germany’s influence within the EU bloc and signal a broader European willingness to hold individual Israeli officials accountable for statements endorsing indiscriminate violence.

Politico Europe

• Ben-Gvir’s target: “30 to 40” Palestinians per night.

Itamar Ben-Gvir Calls for Israel to Kill 30-40 Palestinians in Gaza Every Night

• EU member states that have already imposed entry bans on Ben-Gvir: Spain, France, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium.

Brussels Signal

• German lawmakers uniformly call for sanctions, but the German Foreign Ministry has not issued a stance, creating uncertainty about official policy.

Politico Europe

• EU officials acknowledge the unanimity requirement, but member-state positions vary, leaving the feasibility of sanctions unclear.

Brussels Signal

• “I think targeted killings should be carried out in Gaza, remove 30, 40 [people] every night,” — Itamar Ben-Gvir

Politico Europe

• “There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people,” — Itamar Ben-Gvir

Jared Kushner Meets Hamas Chief Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt Road Map Talks With Netanyahu: how 98 outlets framed it

• “Anyone advocating for acts of violence against innocent civilians should not be in an official government position,” — Senator Jacky Rosen

Common Dreams