An invitation from Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party, to an event near the Gaza border has been circulated under the title “Preparing to Settle Gaza.” The event, scheduled for next Monday, October 21, is an initiative by Nachala settlers’ organization which is known for establishing illegal outposts in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

Palestinians and Israeli peace activists protest against settlers from the Nachala Settlement Movement trying to establish a new settlement, near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, July 20, 2022 (Photo: Flash90)

The Nachala movement stated that “the return to settlement in Gaza is no longer just an idea but a process that is already in advanced stages, with government and public support.” According to the movement’s announcement, racist ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Amichai Eliyahu, and Yitzhak Wasserlauf and ten Likud MKs are also expected to attend the event.

The event is slated to include a tour of Kibbutz Nirim, but the kibbutz issued a statement saying, “No tour was coordinated with Nirim. The security coordinator has not been contacted, and we do not agree to this, so it will not take place.” “Instead of holding political events aimed at establishing settlements, the government should focus on bringing home the 101 hostages and supporting the reconstruction of Gaza border communities,” the kibbutz added.

According to Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman, “The Likud party, Netanyahu’s party, the ruling party, is holding an event to promote the resettlement of Gaza. This is the government supported by Western powers and this is its policy. While most attention is on Lebanon and Iran, it appears that the far-right government is enacting what was named ‘The Generals Plan’ in northern Gaza, which includes the displacement or starvation of all people still in the northern Gaza Strip. This plan is a plan of ethnic cleansing and sets the scene for permanent Israeli occupation of all the northern Gaza Strip. It could also open the way for the vision held by many in the government – of resettling Gaza with Jewish Settlers. The world must act to stop this new and dangerous escalation in Gaza.”

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32165