Bezalel Smotrich
Minister of Finance of Israel
As Minister of Finance of Israel, Smotrich’s implementation of economic blockade decisions that led to the physical destruction of the civilian population of Gaza, his financing of systematic attacks against the civilian population and civilian targets, and his approval and distribution of funds for military operations that resulted in mass extermination, constitute violations of the obligations to protect civilians during armed conflicts and to observe fundamental human rights.
“(W)e need to deal a blow that hasn’t been seen in 50 years and take down Gaza”
08.10.2023 - Bezalel Smotrich
September 27, 2025, Gaza City-Gaza (AA - Ali Jadallah)
Crimes under Rome Statute
Article 8, 2-b (i):Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
Article 8, 2-b (ii):Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects
Article 6, 1-c:Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destruction
Article 7, 1-b:Extermination
“The Gazan cities of Rafah, Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat… total annihilation…”
30.04.2024 - Bezalel Smotrich
February 12, 2024, Rafah-Gaza (AA - Jehad Alshrafi)
Crimes under Rome Statute
Article 8, 2-b (i):Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
Article 8, 2-b (ii):Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects
Article 6, 1-c:Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destruction
Article 7, 1-b:Extermination
“Tulkarm and Jenin will look like Jabalia and Shujaiya. Nablus and Ramallah will look like Rafah and Khan Younis”
11.02.2025 - Bezalel Smotrich
October 7, 2024, Gaza City-Gaza (AA - Dawoud Abo Alkas)
Crimes under Rome Statute
Article 8, 2-b (i):Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
Article 8, 2-b (ii):Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects
Article 6, 1-c:Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destruction
Article 7, 1-b:Extermination
“For our neighbours here across the fence, in Tulkarem, in Nur Shams, in Shuweika, in Qalqilya: we will turn you into rubble like we are doing now in the Gaza Strip.”
30.05.2024 - Bezalel Smotrich
October 19, 2023, Gaza City-Gaza (AA - Mustafa Hassona)
Crimes under Rome Statute
Article 8, 2-b (i):Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
Article 8, 2-b (iv):Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects
Article 7, 1-d:Deportation or forcible transfer of population
Article 6, 1-c:Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destruction
“We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation”
05.05.2025 - Bezalel Smotrich
July 29, 2025, Northern Haza-Gaza (AA - Ali Jadallah)
Crimes under Rome Statute
Article 8, 2-b (i):Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
Article 8, 2-b (ii):Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects
Article 6, 1-c:Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destruction
Article 7, 1-b:Extermination