Why Israel's far right is embracing Trump’s Gaza displacement plan
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An Israeli soldier and kids use binoculars during a Sukkoth gathering, calling for resettling Gaza with Jewish communities near the border with the Gaza Strip on Oct. 21, 2024, in Southern Border, Israel. — Amir Levy/Getty Images
TEL AVIV — Israeli far-right leaders are enthusiastically welcoming President Donald Trump’s plan for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate Gazans to other Arab countries, hoping it will sideline any possibility for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Wednesday that "the plan presented yesterday by President Trump is the real response to Oct. 7. Those who perpetrated the worst massacre on our land, will find themselves losing their own land, for good." Interviewed by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Smotrich added, "Now we will work to completely eliminate the dangerous idea of a Palestinian state."
Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, who quit the government and his position as national security minister after it approved a ceasefire deal in Gaza last month, said Wednesday he is now considering returning to the cabinet. "If he will implement the [Trump] plan, I’ll join him fully. In fact, the moment the government decides to implement it, I’ll come back."
Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza on October 21, 2024. — Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images
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