Israeli Knesset member Limor Son Har-Melech has said that there are "secret" Israeli plans to settle in Gaza, saying that rapid work is underway in government offices to achieve this
Har-Melech, a far-right MK from the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, who last year introduced a bill promoting the death penalty for Palestinians, alluded to the plans in a conversation with the Knesset's TV channel on Monday.
She stated that there was "a vision for the day after (the war on Gaza), and the only optimistic vision is the renewal of the settlement of Gaza. Of course this will happen in stages, I think this will happen whether we like it or not.
"I also believe in the context of defining victory over our enemy, that they must know that in the place from which those who slaughtered, killed and called for erasing Israel's name came out of, will be a large and spacious settlement".
She added: "I am speaking about secret matters, because we can see the large opposition (from external parties) … starting in the next session (of the Knesset after its return from recess) you will see practical steps, including plans, and work in government offices and security services. There is intensive work behind the scenes on this".
These statements echo others made by Israeli officials and parliamentarians who have called for reinstating Israeli settlements in Gaza.
MK Zvika Fogel who is also from Otzma Yehudit, which isheaded by extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, stated on Israel's publicly owned Kan Reshet Bet radio last month that "Israel must end the war when Jews have settled in the entire northern Gaza Strip".
He added that those in Hamas "will pay the price for 7 October in one way only, that they will no longer have any land there".
A large number of Israeli ministers and Knesset representatives support settlement in Gaza, as well as the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Last January, at least 12 cabinet ministers and 15 Knesset members participated in a conference attended by thousands in Jerusalem calling for settlement in the Gaza Strip.
The conference was organized by a coalition of settlement organizations and was entitled: "Conference for the Victory of Israel – Settlement Brings Security: Returning to the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria".
This article is based on an article which appeared in our Arabic edition by Nayif Zidane on 9 April 2024. To read the original article click here.