BERLIN, August 18, 2026 (WAFA) — Jürgen Hardt, foreign policy expert for Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over remarks calling for intensified attacks on the Gaza Strip and the killing of Palestinians without exception.

In remarks to Politico, Hardt said Ben-Gvir's "inhumane" statements warrant condemnation and called on the European Union to impose sanctions against him, saying such action would demonstrate a commitment to protecting human dignity and human rights.

Hardt criticized Ben-Gvir's presence in the Israeli government, expressing hope that the Knesset elections scheduled for October would produce a government that excludes Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Meanwhile, German Left Party lawmaker and member of the German-Israeli Parliamentary Friendship Group Dietmar Bartsch joined calls for sanctions against Ben-Gvir and condemned his remarks, saying that statements made by a government minister reflect a "tragic and inhumane" position.

Bartsch called on the German government and the European Union to condemn Ben-Gvir's remarks in the strongest terms and consider imposing sanctions against him, including banning him from entering European territory.

On Monday, Ben-Gvir called for intensified Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and for the killing of 30 to 40 Palestinians every night without exception. He also renewed his call for the reestablishment of settlements in the Gaza Strip and the displacement of its residents.

K.T