Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds this morning to condemnation from the American administration for his proposal of voluntary transfer of the Arabs of the Gaza Strip.
"More than 70% of the Israeli public today supports a humanitarian solution of encouraging the voluntary immigration of Gazan Arabs and their absorption in other countries, understanding that a small country like ours cannot afford a reality where four minutes away from our settlements there is a hotbed of hatred and terror, where two million people wake up every morning with an ambition to destroy the State of Israel and with a desire to slaughter, rape and murder Jews wherever they are," said Smotrich this morning.
He added: "Israeli society will not agree to the continuation of this reality in Gaza, we are required to reconsider the situation together with our friends in the international community which will bring peace, security and prosperity to all the peoples of the region and allow the residents of the south to return to their homes in safety and peace."
State Department spokesman: Ministers should stop immediately
These words follow the condemnation of State Department spokesman Matthew Miller: "There should not be a mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, this rhetoric is stirring. We have been consistently told by the Israeli government, including by the Prime Minister, that statements of this type do not reflect government policy. The ministers should stop immediately.
"We were unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain so even when Hamas does not control it. This is the future we are looking for, for the benefit of Israelis and Palestinians."
Even earlier, the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the condemnation: "I greatly appreciate the United States of America, but with all due respect we are not another star on the American flag. The United States is our best friend, but first of all we will do what is best for the State of Israel: emigrate hundreds of thousands from Gaza to allow the residents of the Gaza Strip envelope to return home and live in security and protect the IDF soldiers."
