Prominent figures in Israel’s far-right circles are advocating for Jewish resettlement in Gaza, a region marked by its golden beaches but currently overwhelmed by the recent conflict’s devastation.
Daniella Weiss, a notable settler leader, claims to have a list of 500 families eager to move to Gaza, envisioning the region’s transformation into a Jewish area. Despite the controversial nature of such aspirations, which face significant opposition within Israeli society and are not official government policy, the idea has gained vocal support among some of Israel’s most extreme government members since the Hamas attacks on October 7.
The dream of resettling Gaza has lingered among settlers since Israel’s 2005 unilateral withdrawal, which saw the evacuation of 9,000 settlers and the dismantling of 21 settlements. This move has been perceived by many settlers as a betrayal and a strategic error. The majority of Israelis, however, do not support resettling Gaza.
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Settler expansions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have been a long-term focus of Weiss and like-minded settlers, despite international condemnation of these settlements as illegal. These efforts have significantly contributed to the diminishing prospects of a Palestinian state, with settler populations rapidly growing.
The prospect of a Jewish Gaza, devoid of its current Palestinian inhabitants, is a vision shared by Weiss and others, who suggest that Palestinians should be encouraged to leave, hinting at a broader desire for demographic changes in the region. This vision starkly contrasts with the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by the conflict and strict border controls by Israel and Egypt, making escape an unattainable dream for most Palestinians.
Some members of Israel’s cabinet have openly supported the notion of resettling Gaza, aligning with ultranationalist groups advocating for such measures as a response to security concerns. This stance is part of a broader trend of increasing settler activity and violence in the West Bank, challenging the peace process and deepening divisions.
While the feasibility of resettling Gaza remains highly contentious, with significant political, legal, and ethical obstacles, the discourse around it highlights the deep-rooted tensions and complex narratives shaping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
