Former Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes and carrying out ethnic cleansing in Gaza, a rare and controversial critique from a senior member of the security establishment.
His remarks, made during an interview with DemocratTV, have drawn sharp condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s allies, who rejected the claims as damaging and baseless.
Yaalon, who previously served as Israel’s military chief of staff and defense minister during the 2014 Gaza conflict, stated that current military operations in Gaza are leading to the displacement of Arab residents and called the government’s actions a form of “ethnic cleansing.”
He pointed specifically to the destruction of areas such as Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, asserting, “These operations are essentially clearing the area of Arabs.”
During the interview, Yaalon criticized what he described as the government’s pursuit of annexation and settlement expansion in Gaza, warning that it risks leading Israel down a path of destruction. He also referenced public opinion, claiming that most Israelis prefer a democratic, liberal, and Jewish state with a focus on separation from Palestinians, rather than annexation.
“We are being dragged into a policy of annexation and ethnic cleansing,” Yaalon said. “The current leadership is ignoring the will of the majority and taking the country in a dangerous direction.”
This criticism is part of Yaalon’s ongoing opposition to Netanyahu’s government. Earlier this year, he publicly rebuked war cabinet members, accusing them of enabling a leadership that prioritizes political survival over resolving the crisis. Yaalon also criticized the government for failing to adequately address the needs of displaced Israelis and the release of hostages.
Yaalon’s comments have heightened tensions at a time when Israel faces growing international and domestic scrutiny over its military actions in Gaza. While his accusations have sparked controversy, they also reflect broader divisions within Israeli society over the government’s approach to the conflict and its long-term implications.
(With inputs from Reuters)
