NEWS FLASH: Minister Suspended After Controversial Remark
An Israeli minister, Amichay Eliyahu, has been suspended from government meetings “until further notice” after making a controversial remark in an interview. In the interview, Eliyahu, an ultranationalist politician in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s retaliation in Gaza following an attack by Hamas fighters on October 7. Israeli officials claim this attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, with a majority being civilians.
In response to an interviewer’s question about advocating the use of an atomic bomb on Gaza, Eliyahu replied, “That’s one option.” This remark prompted swift criticism, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office describing the minister’s comments as “disconnected from reality” and emphasizing Israel’s efforts to spare “non-combatants” in Gaza.
- After facing backlash, Eliyahu later stated in a social media post that his comment about the atomic bomb was “metaphorical.” It’s important to note that Israel has never officially acknowledged possessing a nuclear bomb. This incident has sparked significant controversy and debate both within and outside Israel.
