US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Israel to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza was overshadowed by a conference organized by the settler organization Nahala to discuss plans for the future of Gaza.
The event, held near the Gaza border and under military protection, focused solely on Israel’s settlement of Gaza. Many attendees, including supporters from different countries, expressed support for settling Gaza and even voiced extreme views on removing Palestinians from the enclave.
Nahala leader Daniella Weiss claimed that families were ready to move to the edge of Gaza and predicted the disappearance of Arabs from the region. The conference also highlighted the involvement of senior government ministers and Knesset members, revealing a serious push for the settlement of Gaza.
Gaza seafront ‘a bargain’
Activist Or Yomtovyan saw settling Gaza as a solution to Israel’s real estate problem, emphasizing the importance of occupying the region as soon as possible. Likud member Ariel Kallner supported the plan, echoing sentiments about eliminating terrorist regimes and driving Palestinians out of the territory.
‘No mercy’
Another Likud member, Tally Gotliv, emphasized the need for the occupation of north Gaza for security purposes and showed little mercy towards Gaza residents. The conference highlighted the rising influence of settlers in formulating policies and showed a commitment to actively settle Gaza despite opposition.