TEL AVIV — Israeli leaders from both the government coalition
and the opposition refrained from publicly criticizing
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir's statements, urging Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to
'voluntarily emigrate,' but they unanimously agreed that these statements are
damaging Israel’s relations with the US, Jo24 reported.
اضافة اعلان
The leaders criticized these remarks for harming Israel's
strategic interests, national security, and international standing, thereby
undermining its future military efforts.
Israeli analysts also unanimously agreed that the concept of
‘
voluntary emigration’ is unrealistic and harmful to Israel, arguing that it
exposes the country to international legal scrutiny and potential legal action
due to suspicions of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Restrained criticism
Leader of the Opposition Party, Yair Lapid condemned Gvir's
statements, labeling them as a 'direct assault on Israel's global reputation'
and detrimental to its military endeavors and security.
Similarly, Minister of Defense
Benny Gantz denounced Gvir's
remarks, emphasizing that disagreements, even with Israel's staunchest ally,
should be handled through appropriate channels rather than reckless media
pronouncements that could damage Israel's strategic ties and national security.
In response to the criticism from both opposition and
coalition figures towards Gvir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented
during the weekly government session, stating, “I do not need assistance in
managing our relations with the US and the international community, while
firmly standing for our national interests.”
Israel’s predicamentContrary to the Israeli politicians' deliberate avoidance of
direct criticism towards Gvir's remarks, Website Editor of Zman Yisrael,
Biranit Goren criticized Gvir, describing him as the ‘Minister of International
Damage.’ Goren pointed out that Gvir's statements come at a time when
international forums continue to address allegations against Israel, suggesting
it has increased Israel's involvement.
She also emphasized that Israel has been dealing with
multiple fronts alongside military ones, facing escalating diplomatic
challenges and genuine threats in international law.
Similarly, Professor of Political Science and International
Relations, Dr. Or Lavie commented on his Facebook page on
Israeli calls to
encourage Palestinians in Gaza to ‘voluntarily emigrate,’ stating that these
calls harm Israel and subject it to international accountability in forums
regarding suspicions of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Lavie highlighted that the problem with this idea, which
appears highly attractive on paper, is that its chances of realization are
close to zero or even less. He pointed out that as a populist and appealing
idea, it occupies a prominent place in Israeli discourse and may even garner
political consensus among politicians.
Currently, 2.2 million Palestinians live in the
Gaza Strip,
Lavie mentioned, noting that the Head of the Religious Zionist Party Alliance,
Bezalel Smotrich promised that Israel would maintain a situation where only
100-150,000 Palestinians would remain in the strip, allowing Israel to coexist
with them.
Lavie further emphasized that mass involuntary population
transfer would face severe international backlash, including economic sanctions
and loss of US support, adding that this is clear to
Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and
others, which is why they do not talk about such deportation but about
voluntary emigration.
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