Lapid says young Israelis told him 'even babies' in Gaza should be killed

What Happened

In an interview on Wednesday, former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid, now part of the centrist-right Together party alliance, said that young Israelis told him at a recent meeting that there are "no innocent people" in Gaza and that Israel should "also kill two-week-old babies" because they will eventually grow up to become terrorists. Lapid said he asked the group, "What about babies?" and they replied, "babies too," leading him to state that "Hamas won" because those are Hamas's standards. Lapid also accused the Israeli government of failing to act against ministers and officials who called for the starvation of children, causing internal damage and a decline in Israel's international standing. He called genocide accusations against Israel "nonsense" but said "children shouldn't die in grown-ups' wars, period." The article cites a Channel 12 News poll showing 74 percent of Jewish Israelis aged 18 to 22 hold right-wing or centre-right views, with 15 percent supporting far-right parties such as Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit and Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party. A separate poll from last year indicated 64 percent of all Israelis agree with the statement that there are no innocent people in Gaza.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Lapid's remarks surface a documented generational shift among Jewish Israelis toward more hawkish and right-wing positions, with polling showing young Israelis are more right-wing and religious than older cohorts. This trend could shape Israeli military and settlement policy, widen domestic political divisions, and affect international perceptions of Israel as it faces genocide allegations at the ICJ and ICC. The discourse about killing civilians, including children, also raises concerns about dehumanisation and its potential impact on conduct in Gaza.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Israeli government responds to Lapid's accusation or takes any action against officials who called for starving children; further polling on Israeli public attitudes toward Palestinians; statements from far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich; and any international diplomatic or legal reactions to discourse about killing civilians in Gaza.