‘Provocative and irresponsible’: Strong criticism of Israeli government for suggesting most Palestinians should be displaced from Gaza
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On January 4, 2024, young Palestinians flee their homes in search of safer places in Gaza as Israeli attacks continue.
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Unacceptable, inflammatory and irresponsible.
The Israeli administration has not stopped receiving criticism and warnings from governments around the world after a series of statements by that country’s officials about the fate of Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir assured Monday that the withdrawal of Palestinians from Gaza and the reestablishment of Israeli settlements in the territory is a “correct, just, moral and humane solution.”
“This is an opportunity to develop a project that encourages Gaza residents to emigrate to countries around the world,” he continued at a meeting of his ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party.
His comments came a day after Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said his country should work to ensure that nearly all of Gaza’s Palestinian population leaves the Strip through “deportation” and then Establish Israeli settlements In that region.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official position is that Gazans can return home after the war, comments from senior officials in his government have worried the international community.
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Young Palestinians mourn the loss of loved ones in front of the bodies of the dead in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on January 4, 2024.
In response, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned both statements on Wednesday, which he described as “inflammatory and irresponsible”.
“There is forced displacement is strictly prohibited as it is a serious violation (International Humanitarian Law) and words matter,” the official wrote in X.
Criticism of Chile, Spain, France and the United Kingdom
Around the same time, the United Kingdom’s foreign minister, Tariq Ahmed, condemned the Israeli ministers’ “inflammatory” comments at the same forum.
“Gaza is occupied Palestinian territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state. United Kingdom Firmly rejects any suggestion of resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Joe Biden’s government issued an unusually critical statement against the Israeli government: “Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land.”
For its part, France urged Israel to “refrain from making such provocative statements, which are irresponsible and inflame tensions.”
“It is not up to the Israeli government to decide where Palestinians should live on their lands. The future of the Gaza Strip and its residents will depend on a unified Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel,” he added.
The Spanish government also warned Israel against the forced displacement of Palestinians.
“Spain International Law, International Humanitarian Law and Ensure protection of civilian population” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Further north on the continent, the Netherlands’ foreign ministry said the nation “rejects any call for Palestinian displacement from Gaza or reduction of Palestinian territory.”
In Latin America, Chile was one of the first countries in the region to reject the Israeli ministers’ suggestions.
“Irresponsible Actions and Statements of Israeli Officials There is a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-state solution“The only way to achieve a just, complete and definitive peace between Palestine and Israel,” Chile’s foreign ministry added in a statement published on Thursday.
“We are not another star on the American flag”
On Tuesday, Joe Biden’s administration released an unusually critical statement that experts say deepening the divide between Washington and Tel Aviv About the future of the Gaza Strip.
In it, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the rhetoric of ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gavir was “inflammatory and irresponsible” and “must stop immediately.”
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Bezalel Smotrich asserted that 70% of Israeli public opinion supports the voluntary evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza and promoting their exploitation in other countries.
“We have been clear, consistent and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, that Hamas is no longer in control of its future and that terrorist groups can threaten Israel without them,” Miller stressed.
Shortly thereafter, Ben Gwir rejected the US conviction.
“I really admire the United States of America, but with all due respect, we are not another star on the American flag.”
“The United States is our best friend, but first of all, We will do what is good for the State of Israel“The evacuation of thousands of people from Gaza will allow residents (of the border area) to return home and stay,” he added.
“Israel Supports Humanitarian Solution to Encouraged Immigration”.
The next morning Smotrich continued his rhetoric encouraging the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians.
“Over 70% of Israeli public opinion supports a humanitarian solution to the stimulus Voluntary migration of Arabs from Gaza and their exploitation in other countries” he wrote on X on Wednesday.
In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its last troops and settlers from Gaza, ending its presence in the territory that began in 1967.
However, it retained almost complete control over its borders.
The statements by both ministers have raised new concerns about the future of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip after the war ends.
Hamas-led Gaza health authorities say Israel’s military response has killed nearly 22,000 Palestinians since the Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,139.
Fighting continues and according to the UN, 85% of Gazans are internally displaced.
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