Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has outlined a plan to expel all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and send them abroad, as campaigning ramps up ahead of elections in Israel. Ben-Gvir’s Gaza Emigration ProposalBen-Gvir said the proposal, developed through his party, Jewish Power, would start by removing 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in its first year. He added that the remaining population of about 2 million would be sent away over the following six years. Speaking in the run-up to the tightly fought vote, Ben-Gvir described the idea as “realistic”, saying there were countries that were ready to take in Palestinians from Gaza, without identifying them. His plan is set out in a 20-page document titled “National Work Plan for Voluntary Emigration from the Gaza Strip”. Despite the wording, Ben-Gvir’s stated objective is to remove Gaza’s Palestinian population, and the coercive nature of any such plan would be a key concern for the international community given the conditions in the territory and the minister’s explicit intent. Under international law, the forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. Reactions And Us Administration Ceasefire TalksBen-Gvir’s comments came as Israel’s political debate over Gaza has grown more aggressive, with Israeli leaders rejecting a ceasefire initiative sought by US President Donald Trump amid continued Israeli attacks. Ben-Gvir said Jewish Power would press for a “ministry in charge of emigration” if it enters government, calling the plan “concrete”. Earlier this year, an independent UN inquiry said Israel was committing genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza. The minister’s remarks also followed comments by Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, who said Israel was seeking US approval to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Katz said any such step was still under discussion after Trump had “frozen” it. At the start of his second term, Trump faced widespread international condemnation after suggesting that all 2 million Palestinians leave Gaza and that the US redevelop the territory. Trump later walked back the proposal. Netanyahu Says Israel Will Not WithdrawWith elections scheduled for October, Ben-Gvir has made a series of inflammatory interventions aimed at his far-right base. These have included posting footage showing Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks by Israeli military courts being due to be executed, while also drawing attention to the absence of comparable actions for Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes. He has also shared videos about mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners held by Israeli authorities. Polling has suggested Jewish Power would win about seven seats. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a military outpost in Gaza to say Israel would not withdraw from areas it occupies. He said Israel would remain on its current line, adding that it was “eliminating the terrorists” and doing so “day in and day out”. Israel’s deputy chief of general staff, Maj Gen Tamir Yadai, said Israel now controls 65% of Gaza. The figure is higher than 53% agreed under a ceasefire brokered last year by Trump. Separately, Ben-Gvir has called for the deportation of two Members of Knesset and others, describing them as “disloyal to the state of Israel”, including Jews, and said he would push for such a policy if he is included in the next government. Join the discussion? 4 September 2026
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