Israeli ministers and lawmakers led a march towards the Gaza Strip on Sunday, calling for the re-establishment of settlements in the Palestinian enclave.
Thousands joined the demonstratiohttps://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-ministers-lead-march-calling-settlements-gazan, organised by the Nachala settler movement under the slogan, "Returning home after 21 years", referring to Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza.
Nachala said at least 28 ministers and lawmakers took part, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.
Addressing the crowd, Nachala leader Daniella Weiss said she is often asked: "What will happen to the Arabs in Gaza?"
"There will be no more Arabs in Gaza," she declared.
Smotrich told supporters: "We erased the disgrace of the expulsion in northern Samaria, and with God's help, we will do the same here in the Gaza Strip," referring to the re-establishment of settlements in parts of the northern occupied West Bank evacuated in 2005.
Ben Gvir said, "There will be Jewish settlements in all of Gaza."
"Encourage voluntary immigration [of Palestinians to other countries], send those who need it to their countries. And we return home. Gaza is ours," he added.