Eight Arab countries condemn Israeli minister's remark about plans to relocate Gaza residents
Quick Look
Amidst the controversy surrounding two Israeli ministers' plans to relocate residents of the Gaza Strip, eight Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement on the 6th harshly condemning the move as a violation of international law.
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Why It Matters
An Israeli cabinet minister has mentioned plans for forced relocation of Gaza residents, sparking opposition from countries supporting Palestine.
Two ministers in Israel's Netanyahu administration have recently caused a stir by mentioning plans to effectively relocate more than 2 million residents of the Palestinian autonomous region of Gaza. On the 6th, eight countries supporting the Palestinians, including Saudi Arabia, issued a statement strongly condemning the move.
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According to Israeli media, the country's far-right party leader and Minister of National Security Bengvir announced on the 3rd a seven-year plan for the "voluntary relocation" of Gaza residents. The plan includes moving 250,000 of Gaza's entire population to a foreign country in the first year, insisting, ``Instead of harboring illusions of peace, we need to take 'action' by emigrating.'' He made it clear that he would like to move forward with the plan if the government continues after the general election scheduled for October.
On the 2nd, Defense Minister Katz, who is also known for his extremist statements, said that he had plans to relocate Gaza residents and was awaiting approval from the United States as to where they would be relocated. However, local media reported, ``If the plan is implemented, it is expected that there will be strong opposition from the international community, and it seems that no country will actually accept it.''
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries strongly objected to the statements made by the two ministers. "We firmly oppose the forced relocation of Palestinians," he said, criticizing the provocative proposal as "contrary to the principles of international law." He emphasized that it also challenges international efforts such as the Gaza peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump last fall.
However, in February last year, Trump also proposed the idea that the United States would "own" Gaza and force its residents to relocate there.
Open Questions
- Will the plan actually become official Israeli government policy?
- Will any country appear that will accept it?
