Far-right Israeli minister proposes plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza
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Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has outlined a plan to remove the entire Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip and send them abroad, saying the proposal is “realistic” and “concrete”.
Speaking ahead of Israel’s October elections, Ben-Gvir said the plan would seek to remove 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza during the first year, followed by the remaining population of roughly 2 million over the next six years. He claimed some countries were prepared to accept Palestinians but did not name them.
The proposal is contained in a 20-page document titled “National Work Plan for Voluntary Emigration from the Gaza Strip”. Despite describing the displacement as voluntary, the plan has been criticised as coercive given the conditions in Gaza and Ben-Gvir’s stated objective of removing the territory’s Palestinian population.
Ben-Gvir said his Jewish Power party would demand a ministry responsible for emigration when the next government is formed.
The proposal follows comments by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said Israel was seeking approval from US President Donald Trump for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Katz said Israel would facilitate emigration “by any means”.
Trump had earlier suggested that Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians leave the territory while the US redeveloped it, a proposal that triggered international criticism and was later walked back.
The developments come as Israel continues military operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel would not withdraw from areas it occupies and claimed Israeli forces controlled 60% of the territory. Israel’s Deputy Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Tamir Yadai put the figure at 65%.
International law prohibits the forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory, with such displacement considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
Ben-Gvir has also called for the deportation of Israeli MPs and others he considers disloyal to the state, including Jews. His Jewish Power party is projected in polls to win around seven seats.
Ben-Gvir has been convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organisation and has faced sanctions from several countries.