Israeli Envoy to Austria Caught on Tape Urging Execution of Palestinian Minors in Gaza
Israeli envoy dismisses child death toll and warns Europe against rebuilding Gaza.
Watan-A report prepared by Elis Geovari revealed that the Israeli envoy to Austria suggested killing Palestinian minors in Gaza, claiming they were carrying rifles and bombs, and threatened to destroy reconstruction efforts if the European Union considered investing in Gaza.
The statements by Ambassador David Roet were made in a secret recording during a meeting with the Jewish community in the city of Innsbruck on Thursday.
Roet said: “Any minor carrying a rifle or a bomb should be executed,” without providing any evidence of children bearing arms in Gaza.
The video was recorded two days after Israel broke the ceasefire agreement on March 18, killing more than 500 people, including 200 children.
Roet Justifies Gaza Killings, Threatens EU Over Reconstruction
Roet dismissed concerns about the killing of children, saying: “If you believe there are no participants in Gaza, then you’ll believe Israel is deliberately targeting children, and that is not true.”
According to UNICEF, over 14,500 children have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. These figures do not include the children killed by Israel since it violated the ceasefire.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that the death toll since the beginning of the war has reached 50,000, with another 113,000 injured. Around 10,000 people are still trapped under the rubble.
Roet: “We Will Destroy Gaza Again”
Roet questioned the EU’s investment in rebuilding Gaza, suggesting that anything rebuilt would be destroyed again. He said: “Would Europe be crazy enough to invest money in Gaza? Because we will destroy it again.”
Roet mentioned he had been in contact with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer via WhatsApp. He claimed to be the only diplomat the chancellor spoke to. According to Roet, Nehammer wanted to meet him to reassure him that Austria’s relationship with Israel would remain strong.
The activist who filmed the video condemned Roet’s comments, saying: “I felt sick from Roet’s calm tone as he made these remarks. No one intervened when he suggested executing children,” adding: “It makes me think how corrupted things are when those with power to change the world propose war crimes as solutions.” He concluded: “To end the suffering, we must challenge these fascist psychopaths who incite hatred among us and profit from imperialist deals.”
