Conference to Settle Gaza

The dream of returning to Gaza was dead and buried. Long after settlers from Israel had been uprooted and the land handed to Palestinians. Now with the war in Gaza still in full swing despite the death of Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar, many Jews are thinking of settling in Gaza again. Far-right politicians in Netanyahu's cabinet like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are fanning the flames of this. Israel has been turning right for years now, as the idea of a two-state solution has died. Netanyahu himself is the Godfather of Jewish fascism so for him to be in coalition with other fascists is not surprising.

Hamas has enabled the far-right in Israel to get even more popular and powerful. With their awful actions on October 7 last year, they enabled politicians on the far-right and in power in Israel, to carry out a vengeful, genocidal, campaign in Gaza. The same is happening in parts of Lebanon. However, Hezbollah despite its losses of leaders and combatants, it is still a viable force dealing Israel with deadly blows. Hamas weakened and wrecked, is still able to resist the IDF.

A conference held in the Kibbutz of Be'eri in Israel, not far from the border with Gaza, is taking place. Sky News spoke to a male Jewish person attending this conference. Ari tells Sky News he dreams of settling Gaza with his wife and kids. "It will be our privilege" to settle the land as an IDF artillery piece booms sending a projectile into Gaza. The conference is about resettling in Gaza. Ari and his family are just many of the Jews gathered in this kibbutz wishing the same. There are tents full of refreshments, kids entertainments, and other things. Many of the Israelis gathered here are armed to the teeth. If you didn't turn up with a gun at this conference, you'd probably be the odd one out!

There is no as far as is known, no official policy to re-occupy Gaza. On the other hand, IDF troops seem to be getting used to being there. They have taken over the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt once manned by Hamas guards. They have divided the north and south of Gaza via a corridor in the middle of the strip called the 'Netzarim Corridor'. Of course, while Hamas remain a clear and present danger, the IDF will not withdraw. Will Israeli settlers cross the border and settle in Gaza if the government supports them or if they feel it is safe to do so? The official policy of the Netanyahu regime is to stay as long as is necessary. Through de-Hamasification of the population, the Israelis will then hand over to a Palestinian administration which they consider no longer a danger. Not unlike what happened in Germany after WW II. When the population was de-Nazified and when Germany became a modern democracy. Even if Gaza is ruled by Palestinians more affable to Israel, Netanyahu says Israel will still be in control of security in Gaza for a long while after.

Sky News spoke to the daughter of an IDF soldier who has fought in Gaza and is now battling Hezbollah in Lebanon. Sherit came over as an eloquent, intelligent, and open young woman. She came to the conference with friends. Sherit said that the Jewish holy book the Torah says Gaza belongs to the Jews. With that in mind, she believes Israel must and will settle again in the land of Gaza. Asked about the Palestinians in Gaza, she was quite blunt "Kill them, we should kill them all". Other attendees were not quite as harsh, they just said the Palestinians should be exported to other countries.

These views are disturbing and many Israeli far-right politicians have espoused these views like Mr. Ben-Gvir and Mr. Smotrich. How ironic that Jewish people should echo the words and views of the Nazis. Hitler had the policy of 'Lebensraum' or the literal English translation 'Living room' or 'living space'. To depopulate the previous inhabitants of conquered territories so Germans could settle there. This policy is alive and well in the West Bank as Jewish settlers drive away Palestinian people who have lived there for centuries. The Jewish presence in the West Bank is illegal under international law. Yet the government of Israel does nothing to stop them. If anything it openly assists them and settlers are protected by the Israeli army. Could we see the same thing happening in Gaza?

However, there are still many Jews who oppose Netanyahu. A counter- gathering emerged at the conference to oppose the idea of settling Gaza. Many of these Israelis want an end to the war now, a negotiated peace settlement, Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners returned to their loved ones and an end to Netanyahu and his policy of forever war.

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