Moshe Feiglin’s controversial comments invoke Nazi ideology, raising alarms over extremist rhetoric
Gaza City, Palestinian Territories – Moshe Feiglin, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and condemnation after quoting Adolf Hitler during a televised panel discussion, in which he called for the resettlement of the Gaza Strip and the creation of a “Hebrew Gaza.”
Feiglin, who left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party to establish the right-wing Zehut Party and plans to challenge Likud in the upcoming Israeli elections, made the inflammatory remarks during a panel discussion on Israel’s Channel 12, which were subsequently shared on social media platforms, as reported by Middle East Eye.
“We are not guests in our country, this is our country, all of it…” Feiglin declared, before evoking the infamous words of the Nazi dictator, “As Hitler said, ‘I cannot live if one Jew is left.’ We can’t live here if one ‘Islamo-Nazi’ remains in Gaza.”
The invocation of Hitler’s notorious anti-Semitic rhetoric in the context of calling for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, both within Israel and across the international community.
Feiglin’s remarks have been widely denounced as a blatant incitement to violence and ethnic cleansing, drawing parallels to the darkest chapters of human history and the genocidal ideology of the Nazi regime.
“Moshe Feiglin’s comments are not only reprehensible but also a dangerous escalation of dehumanizing rhetoric,” said Hanan Ashrawi, a prominent Palestinian politician and activist. “To invoke Hitler’s words in the context of advocating for the forcible removal of Palestinians from their homeland is a chilling reminder of the depths to which extremist ideologies can sink.”
Ashrawi’s sentiments were echoed by numerous human rights organizations and advocacy groups, who have long warned of the consequences of such inflammatory rhetoric and the normalization of hate speech within the Israeli political landscape.
“These comments are a direct incitement to violence and a flagrant violation of international law,” stated Amnesty International in a statement. “We call upon the Israeli government and the international community to unequivocally condemn such rhetoric and take concrete steps to hold those responsible accountable.”
Feiglin’s call for the creation of a “Hebrew Gaza” has also drawn comparisons to the controversial “Greater Israel” ideology, which advocates for the expansion of Israeli control over the entirety of historical Palestine, often at the expense of Palestinian rights and self-determination.
Critics argue that such extremist ideologies, fueled by religious and ethnic nationalism, have contributed to the perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and have hindered efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.
As the backlash against Feiglin’s remarks intensifies, there are growing calls for Israeli political leaders and public figures to distance themselves from such inflammatory rhetoric and to take tangible steps to promote a more inclusive and tolerant political discourse.
“The normalization of hate speech and the invocation of Nazi ideology in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a dangerous and unacceptable development,” said Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian activist and former Minister of Information. “It is incumbent upon all voices of reason and moderation to stand united against such extremist narratives and to chart a path towards dialogue, understanding, and respect for human rights.”
Amidst the outrage, there are also concerns about the potential impact of Feiglin’s rhetoric on the already fragile situation in Gaza, where the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the specter of renewed violence loom large.
As tensions simmer and the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain elusive, the international community has reiterated its calls for restraint and the prioritization of diplomacy and peaceful means to resolve the long-standing conflict.
While Feiglin’s comments have been widely condemned, they serve as a stark reminder of the profound challenges that lie ahead in efforts to achieve a lasting and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – a challenge that will require a resolute commitment to human rights, mutual understanding, and the rejection of hate and extremism in all its insidious forms.
