As Israel’s elections approach in October, the right-wing factions are intensifying their campaign to restore Jewish settlements in Gaza, making this a focal point of their electoral strategy.
Efforts to Reverse the 2005 Disengagement
This movement is part of a larger agenda aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to overturn the 2005 decision that saw Israel unilaterally withdraw its settlements from Gaza. On Sunday, far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich led thousands of supporters toward the Gaza perimeter, pushing for the reestablishment of three northern Gaza settlements: Nisanit, Dugit, and Elei Sinai. This demonstration was organized by the hardline Nachala settler movement, and included prominent government officials. To right-wing activists, expanding settlements in Gaza and the occupied West Bank represents a longstanding goal, especially now that Israel controls a considerable portion of Gaza.
Determined Demonstrators and Military Restrictions
In response to the planned demonstration, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared the area a closed military zone to restrict access. However, this declaration did not dissuade the marchers, who navigated around barriers erected by the military and police. Buses transported families from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, while young activists were also seen distributing campaign materials. At the rally, Ben Gvir claimed that if someone had predicted three years ago that Israel would control 70% of Gaza, it would have been met with skepticism.
A Call for Jewish Resettlement in Gaza
During the protest, Ben Gvir emphatically stated, “There will be Jewish settlement throughout Gaza,” proposing that Israel should facilitate the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians. This idea had surfaced previously under the Trump administration but was largely dismissed during ceasefire negotiations. Equally vocal was Smotrich, who expressed concerns that a shift in government could result in a rollback of what he termed the “zionist and national settlement revolution” that has occurred in the past four years.
Current Israeli Control and International Reactions
The Israeli government currently controls approximately 60% of Gaza, with Netanyahu openly advocating for military operations to extend this control. While previous U.S. brokered ceasefire agreements mandated Israel pull back to around 53% of Gaza, the IDF has since expanded its grip over the territory. Before the 2005 disengagement, Israel boasted 21 settlements in Gaza, home to roughly 8,000 settlers. Following the disbandment of these communities, Netanyahu’s government has seen a reversal of some of these policies, including allowing Israelis to return to areas once evacuated.
The initiative to construct new settlements has drawn not only local support but also increasing international scrutiny. Critics from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada have enacted sanctions against individuals linked to the settler movement. The renewed focus on settlement expansion amidst ongoing military tension has intensified global criticism against Israel, marking a significant point of contention in international diplomacy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In summary, as elections draw near, the Israeli right’s strong push for settlement restoration in Gaza symbolizes not just a political maneuver but also a broader ideological campaign that challenges longstanding protocols and influences the geopolitical landscape in the region.