Israeli Ministers Attend Ultrananationalist Conference Advocating for Gaza Resettlement

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s hard-right Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for Jewish settlers to return to Gaza during a large gathering on Sunday, prompting strong backlash from Palestinians, who interpreted his remarks as a call for their forced deportation.

Ben-Gvir’s comments contradicted the official stance of the Israeli government, as articulated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has stated that Israel does not plan to maintain a permanent presence in Gaza after the conflict with Hamas concludes.

The Palestinian Authority quickly condemned Ben-Gvir’s remarks, claiming they incited the forced displacement of Palestinians and jeopardized regional security and stability. Both Hamas and Israeli opposition leaders also criticized the statement on Monday.

During the event, attended by hundreds, including several government ministers, Ben-Gvir emphasized that the return of Jewish settlers and military forces was essential to prevent another attack similar to the devastating one carried out by Hamas on October 7. He asserted, "If we don’t want another October 7, we need to return home and control the land," and expressed the need to "encourage emigration" from Gaza.

Israel withdrew its military and settlers from Gaza in 2005 following a lengthy occupation. In response to Hamas’ attack, the Israeli military has launched extensive air strikes and ground operations in the area.

The meeting underscored the heightened tensions surrounding the issue of Jewish settlements, a central point of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians for decades. Attendees voiced their support for the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in Gaza and parts of the occupied West Bank.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right member of Netanyahu’s coalition, remarked that many children evacuated from Gaza settlements had returned as soldiers to fight in the ongoing conflict. He expressed his opposition to past government decisions to evacuate settlements, stating, "We knew what that would bring and we tried to prevent it. Without settlements, there is no security."

While Israel’s stated objective is to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of over 130 hostages held in Gaza, it has clarified that it does not intend to establish a permanent presence in the area, although it seeks security control once the war concludes.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has stated that Gaza should continue to be governed by Palestinians post-war and has advocated for serious steps toward establishing a Palestinian state.

Gaza, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war. Most international entities consider the Jewish settlements built in these areas illegal, a claim Israel disputes based on historical and biblical connections to the land.

Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the war cabinet, criticized the attendance of government officials at the meeting, suggesting it could undermine Israel’s international standing and risk hostage release efforts. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, leading the opposition, described the convention as delusional and dangerous in a statement made during a session in the Knesset.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced the gathering, which took place alongside hearings at the International Court of Justice concerning allegations of genocide by some right-wing Israeli officials—allegations that Israel has denied.

Hamas stated that the meeting "revealed the intentions to implement the crimes of displacement and ethnic cleansing against our Palestinian people."