Right-wing rally in Jerusalem calls for Palestinian expulsion and Jewish resettlement of Gaza

Several hundred demonstrators gathered in central Jerusalem on Thursday to rally in support of a forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, and for the reestablishment of Israeli Jewish settlements in the area.

The demonstration, “Occupation, Expulsion and Settlement,” was organized by multiple right-wing groups, including the settlement of Nachala.

Knesset Member Limor Son Har-Melech of the Otzma Yehudit party said that Gaza and the West Bank belong to the Jewish people in Israel.

“The Land of Israel is for the People of Israel. Gaza is for Jews, Judea and Samaria is for Jews. They are ours in the merit of our fathers and the merit of our deeds,” he stated. “The expulsion of our enemies needs to be forever. We are here not only to expel but to inherit, to establish flourishing settlements full of life. Victory will be that all of Gaza returns to our hands, where Jews establish new generations of courageous settlers.”

Haifa area resident Massi Carmel attended the rally to show full support for the forcible removal of Palestinians from Gaza.

“I support anything that needs to be done to remove these people from there and bring in the people of Israel to the Land of Israel,” Carmel said.

When asked whether it was morally right to remove the predominantly Muslim Palestinian people from Gaza, she replied, “Is it moral to remove Jews from their homes?”

This response was possibly a reference to Israel's withdrawal of more than 8,500 Israeli Jewish settlers who left or were forced out of Gaza by Israel in 2005, as well as the Jews expelled from Muslim majority countries after 1948.

“Is it moral to murder, to rape, to burn?” she continued. “Everyone there was involved (in the atrocities of October 7).”

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman of the ruling Likud party said Israel must “inherit” Jenin and Nablus in the West Bank and claimed the only solution for Gaza was “to empty Gaza of Gazans.”

Posters and banners calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza were displayed throughout the demonstration. One banner read, “Only transfer will bring peace,” while another leaflet handed out said, “Gaza is ours forever.”