As the sun beats down near Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, Avi gazes toward Gaza, less than two miles away, expressing a strong desire to move there with his wife and three young children. Their plan? To settle in Gaza when it is deemed safe.
Avi’s sentiments echo those of several other Israelis gathered for a resettlement conference in Kibbutz Be’eri, where a collective determination to reclaim the land is palpable. Despite the underlying tensions, the atmosphere is charged with a mix of frustration, entitlement, and excitement, highlighted by the presence of firearms.
One attendee, Reshit, the daughter of an Israeli soldier, confidently declares, “This is our homeland,” referencing the Torah to justify their claim to the land. Her conviction is stark: “So many soldiers have died for this. We must continue their legacy.”
When asked about the Palestinians currently living in Gaza, Reshit’s response is alarming, stating, “We should kill them, every last one of them,” or, if the government won’t act, to simply expel them. Such extreme views reflect broader sentiments among some attendees, who seem to support the removal of Palestinians from their land.
Boris, identifying himself as a Likud activist, posits that historically, nations that lose wars relinquish their land, painting a grim picture of the ongoing conflict. In recent times, the idea of settling Israelis in Gaza has gained unexpected traction, now championed by right-wing politicians eager to not just defeat Hamas but reshape the region.
Among the politicians supporting this movement is Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, who endorses the removal of Palestinians from the territory. Ariel Kallner, a Likud MP, asserts that true victory in the ongoing conflict can only be realized when settlers establish a community in northern Gaza.
As the event unfolds, Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in settlement advocacy, takes the stage to share her expertise accumulated over decades of establishing settlements in the West Bank. With a focus now on Gaza, she offers insights on navigating the political landscape to facilitate the establishment of new communities.
Amid the conference, tensions rise as counter-demonstrators arrive, igniting protests and drawing a police presence. Mickal Frucktman, a frustrated opponent of the settlement initiative, proclaims it illegal and warns of the moral degradation it could inflict on Israel.
As opposing sides exchange glances filled with animosity, another shell is fired into Gaza, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding the future of the region.
Credit: Sky News
