OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israeli Minister of
National Security
Ben Gvir rejected US criticism of his remarks about
encouraging Palestinian Migration from the
Gaza Strip. In a statement on his
official account on X, formally known as Twitter, Gvir stated that he
appreciates the US, but Israel is determined to prioritize its own best
interests, arguing that the migration of thousands of Palestinians would ensure
the safety of the rest living in the strip and protect the
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), Al-Mamlaka TV reported.
اضافة اعلان
On Tuesday, the spokesperson for the US
Department of State Matthew Miller denounced the statements made by Israeli
ministers Tsilah Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, urging the return of Jewish
settlers to Gaza after the current aggression, and encouraging Palestinians to
leave the territory.
During a press conference, Miller stated
"These remarks are inflammatory and irresponsible,” emphasizing that the
Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has repeatedly
informed the US that these statements do not reflect the official position of
the Israeli government. Furthermore, Miller underscored that the US considers
"
Gaza as Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land."
In 2005, Israel withdrew the IOF and
nearly 8000 settlers from the Gaza Strip as part of a unilateral withdrawal
plan presented by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Gvir argued that
"Encouraging the migration of Gaza residents would allow us to repopulate
the border areas and the former Gush Katif settlement bloc in Gaza." His
call came a day after a similar statement by Israeli Finance Minister Tsilah
Smotrich, who said that Jewish settlers should return to the strip after the
war, and Palestinians in the region should be encouraged to migrate to other
countries.
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