German lawmakers call for EU sanctions on Israel’s Ben-Gvir over Gaza killing remarks
German lawmakers from across the political spectrum are calling for EU sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The demand follows his controversial remarks suggesting that targeted killings in Gaza should be expanded.
Why it matters
The call for sanctions highlights growing diplomatic friction between European nations and members of the current Israeli government regarding the conduct of the war in Gaza.
From Merz’s conservatives to Alternative for Germany and the Left, condemnation cut across the Bundestag’s political spectrum.
Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir enters Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the day of Tisha B'Av (the ninth day of Av) commemorating the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem by the ancient Babylonians and Romans respectively, in Jerusalem on July 23, 2026. | ilia Yefmovich/ AFP via Getty Images August 18, 2026 3:00 pm CET By Hans von der Burchard , Franziska Nocke , Maximilian Stascheit and Milena Wälde BERLIN —Senior conservative and social-democrat lawmakers in Germany’s governing coalition are urging the EU to sanction Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir after he called for nightly targeted killings in Gaza.
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