Far right Israeli ministers call for settlements in Gaza during conference

Key figures in the Israeli government joined a controversial far-right conference over the weekend, which called for expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and rebuilding or expanding illegal Jewish settlements in the enclave.

The conference, organised by the extremist Nahala organisation — classified as illegal by international and humanitarian groups — saw calls for the re-establishment of new Jewish settlements in Gaza and expansions across the occupied West Bank.

Israel's Channel 12 reported that 12 ministers — around a third of the cabinet — attended the conference, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

They all reiterated calls for Palestinians to be removed from Gaza. The controversial gathering came amid international pressure on Israel to confirm it would respect Palestinian statehood after its war on Gaza ends.

It also comes just days after a ruling by the International Court of Justice urged Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.