Right-wing former defense minister under Netanyahu says Israel 'on path to ethnic cleansing' in Gaza

Former Israeli Defense Minister and ex-IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon provoked controversy on Saturday when he said the Israeli government is headed on a dangerous path because of far-right elements in the coalition. 

The right-wing former minister served under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2013 until 2016.

In an interview with DemocratTV, Ya’alon asked, “Who is in favor of partition? In favor of partition, rather than a dual national state, an apartheid state, or to follow the path that we are now being dragged towards?” 

“To conquer, to annex, to commit ethnic cleansing,” he continued. “Look at the northern Strip,” he continued, “transfer, call it whatever you want, to establish Jewish settlements. This is the issue.” 

Ya’alon said that two-thirds of Israel prefers partitioning the land, with Jews and Arab-Palestinians living in separate states. He accused Netanyahu of misleading the people, saying, he is “the one who is leading us to no less than total destruction.” 

His statement was a play on Netanyahu’s slogan of “total victory,” which he used to rally his political supporters during the war. 

When asked by journalist Lucy Aharish to clarify, “On the way to ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip?” Ya’alon responded, “Why on the way? What’s going on there right now? What is happening there? There is no Beit Lahia, there is no Beit Hanoun, [IDF] are currently operating in Jabaliya and are essentially cleansing the area of Arabs.” 

*SHOCKING:* Netanyahu’s former defense minister and ex-IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon warns Israel is being dragged by its leadership on a path of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip that will lead to its destruction: pic.twitter.com/fJapAVFpmc

— (((IsraelMatzav))) (@IsraelMatzav) December 1, 2024

Ya’alon’s statements drew immediate criticism from coalition and right-wing politicians. 

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Ya’alon’s remarks on 𝕏, writing, “The irresponsible comments of former minister Moshe Ya’alon are incorrect and slander Israel without a basis. I call on him to retract his comments.” 

Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also condemned Ya’alon’s statements. 

“Ya'alon's words are a lie that helps our enemy and hurts Israel,” Gallant posted to 𝕏. “I saw up close the fighters and commanders of the IDF while I was leading the difficult war against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran – the IDF acted according to the highest standards that can be applied in the complex and difficult war that was imposed on us. The instructions and orders were always given in accordance with the law and the spirit of the IDF.” 

Gallant called on Ya’alon to apologize to Israel's military troops.

“I suggest to Ya'alon not to be ashamed of his security past, to learn the facts, retract and apologize to the IDF soldiers.” 

In an interview on Sunday with Aryeh Golan on Kan Reshet Bet, Ya’alon stood by his remarks. 

“I speak on behalf of commanders who serve in northern Gaza. They are committing war crimes here,” Ya’alon said. 

“I stand behind that phrase,” he said. “IDF soldiers are in mortal danger and will be exposed to prosecution in the criminal court.”