Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu

Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu is an Israeli lawmaker and member of the far-right Otzma Yehudit Party. He currently serves as the country's heritage minister.

Eliyahu is the son of the chief rabbi of Safed, Shmuel Eliyahu. He has been the subject of considerable controversy throughout his tenure as a minster due to his statements, such as suggesting that Israel had the possible option of using a nuclear bomb on Gaza and saying that Israel should re-occupy the Gaza Strip.

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'IDF must kill terrorists on sight': Israeli minister doubles down after civilian's killing

On claims that his calls violate the IDF's open-fire rules, Eliyahu said "we are a state of law. At the end of the day, only God will hold terrorists accountable."

Russia says Israeli nuclear remark raises 'huge number of questions'

Asked in a radio interview about a hypothetical nuclear option, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu had replied: "That's one way."

By REUTERS
07/11/2023

Amichai Eliyahu has got to go - editorial

It didn’t take long for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to condemn Eliyahu’s remark and later announce that the minister would be suspended.

Netanyahu backed down from firing minister who called to nuke Gaza

The far-right lawmaker later said on X that 'any sensible person' knew the comments that Israel could use a nuclear weapon in the Gaza Strip were 'metaphorical.'

Israeli minister: IDF must move away from 'People's Army' model

Eliyahu's comments come amid ongoing coalition talks regarding a new draft law for ultra-Orthodox Israelis who study in yeshivas.

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