Israeli War Minister's "Plague of Firstborn" Threat Against Yemen Sparks International Alarm

Biblical Rhetoric Escalates Regional Tensions Following Airstrikes on Sana'a Civilian Infrastructure

JERUSALEM, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Israeli War Minister Israel Katz has invoked extreme biblical imagery in a chilling threat against Yemen, referencing the "plague of the firstborn" following Israeli airstrikes that targeted civilian infrastructure in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a.

The controversial remarks came after Sunday's military operations that struck the Hazeiz power station and a civilian fuel depot, plunging parts of the city into darkness and causing multiple casualties. Online footage showed thick plumes of smoke and flames rising over residential neighbourhoods, indicating civilian areas were affected.

Katz's reference to the biblical plague—the tenth and final divine intervention in the Exodus narrative that resulted in the death of every firstborn son across Egyptian society—has been interpreted by analysts as a threat of indiscriminate targeting that could include children. The biblical account describes catastrophic judgment against Egypt for Pharaoh's refusal to liberate enslaved Israelites.

This rhetoric marks a significant escalation in regional tensions and echoes similar genocidal language used by Israeli officials during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed according to the report. International legal experts and human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that such language demonstrates genocidal intent.

The biblical "plague of the firstborn" narrative is deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition and symbolises harsh divine judgment. While occasionally referenced in political rhetoric, its use is typically controversial due to the violent implications involving the death of children. Mainstream politicians generally avoid such charged biblical parallels to prevent accusations of extremism.

This incident follows a pattern of Israeli officials employing inflammatory religious references. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously invoked the Amalekites—a biblical enemy commanded to be utterly destroyed—while other ministers have used language describing Gaza residents as "human animals" and advocated for mass expulsion of Palestinians.

The international community, including United Nations experts, has pointed to these statements as evidence of systematic intent to destroy Palestinian society. The normalisation of such rhetoric represents a dangerous shift from extremist discourse to mainstream political language, particularly since the start of the Gaza conflict.

As regional tensions continue to escalate, the use of theological symbolism to legitimise military strategy and territorial expansion remains a growing concern for diplomatic efforts seeking peaceful resolution to conflicts across the Middle East. (PW)

Source: PressTv