In US, Israel’s Defense Minister Says There’s No ‘Moral Right’ to End Gaza Slaughter

Yoav Gallant made the comments in response to the UN Security Council passing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for Ramadan

During a visit to Washington on Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant responded to the UN Security Council passing a resolution that called for a Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza, saying Israel had “no moral right” to stop its brutal military operations.

“We have no moral right to stop the war in Gaza until we return all the hostages to their homes. If we don’t reach a clear and absolute victory in Gaza, it could bring a war in the north closer,” Gallant said.

While Gallant signaled Israel could stop if all the hostages are released, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said his goal is to “eradicate” Hamas, which US and Israeli intelligence believes is unrealistic. Israel has also refused to engage with Hamas’s demand for a deal that would free all Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The UN Security Council resolution called for the unconditional release of hostages but didn’t make it a condition for a ceasefire. Gallant called the resolution “scandalous” and said he would tell National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan “the importance of bringing down the Hamas regime.”

Gallant said he would use his time in the US to push for more support for the Israeli military. “I am now opening my visit to Washington as a representative of the State of Israel and on behalf of the Government of Israel. I came here to clarify the need to strengthen the IDF and strengthen the State of Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu canceled another Israeli delegation to Washington in response to the US not vetoing the Security Council resolution. The delegation was supposed to discuss Israel’s plans to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite the US expressing concerns, Netanyahu has vowed to launch a full-scale assault on the city, which would incur huge civilian casualties.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.