Ministers Clamp Down After Consecutive Gaffes
Remarks on 'Nuclear Weapons' Use and 'Great Disaster' Warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose approval ratings have plummeted due to a series of gaffes by cabinet ministers, has taken active steps to rein in his ministers' remarks. As the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas shows signs of prolonged conflict, criticism is mounting that the cabinet should resign for its responsibility in the war, raising concerns about the worst-case scenario of the cabinet losing confidence during the war.
According to the Times of Israel on the 12th (local time), at a cabinet meeting held that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu told the ministers, "Every word in diplomacy carries meaning. Please do not speak if you do not know," and emphasized, "We must be very sensitive in our choice of words." This is interpreted as an active effort to control ministers' remarks following their consecutive gaffes that have led to a sharp drop in approval ratings.
Netanyahu's remarks are believed to be in response to a gaffe by Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter the previous day. In an interview with Israeli local media, Minister Dichter stated, "This war will be the Nakba of the Gaza Strip," sparking controversy. Nakba is an Arabic term meaning 'catastrophe,' referring to the 1948 displacement of Palestinian residents from what is now Israeli territory during the establishment of Israel and the Arab-Israeli war, turning them into refugees.
Following Minister Dichter's statement, rumors spread that Israel plans to expel all residents after occupying the Gaza Strip, putting the Israeli government in a very difficult position. The Israeli government has denied such plans, calling them personal opinions, but public opinion among allies such as the United States and Western countries is also deteriorating.
With public opinion already showing that 76% believe the Netanyahu cabinet should resign, and the cabinet's approval rating hitting rock bottom due to the repeated gaffes of far-right ministers, an emergency has been declared to control the ministers' remarks.
Earlier, on the 5th, Amichai Eliyahu, Israel's Minister for Jerusalem and Heritage, sparked major international controversy by suggesting the possible use of nuclear weapons in the conflict with Hamas. He stated, "There are no civilians in Gaza who are not participating in the fighting," and "A nuclear strike could be one option," drawing criticism both inside and outside Israel. Subsequently, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Minister Eliyahu would be permanently excluded from all cabinet meetings, and Minister Eliyahu later retracted his statement, saying it was a metaphorical expression.
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