On Monday, a significant event took place near the Gaza border where hundreds of right-wing Israeli activists, including government ministers and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s parliamentary coalition, gathered to advocate for the establishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.
Among the senior ministers present were National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Minister for Social Equality and Minister for Women’s Empowerment May Golan. While Netanyahu has stated that Israel does not plan to settle Gaza, members of Likud party, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), and Religious Zionist Party were actively involved in the event.
The attendees not only called for settlements in Gaza but also for the expulsion of the Palestinian population residing in the strip. Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the Zionist settler movement, expressed the desire to settle the entire Gaza Strip from north to south, emphasizing the need for complete resettlement.
The event, held near Kibbutz Be’eri, featured stages where people danced, sang, and distributed flyers highlighting the importance of resettlement for Israel’s security. The atmosphere was punctuated by the sound of outgoing artillery fire into Gaza.
However, a counterprotest was held by residents of surrounding areas and kibbutzim who opposed the resettlement agenda. Ron Shifroni, a Kibbutz Be’eri resident, criticized the proponents of resettlement, stating that their motivations were rooted in religious beliefs rather than genuine security concerns.
