Arabs will disappear The rightwing settlers who are eyeing Gaza as a promising new home
The Guardian|November 01, 2024
'Only settlements [in Gaza] will bring about the security we had 20 years ago'
Bethan McKernan Jerusalem Ruth Michaelson Kedumim Quique Kierszenbaum
Arabs will disappear The rightwing settlers who are eyeing Gaza as a promising new home

From a few points on the periphery between Israel and Gaza, it is possible to see the bombed-out ruins of the besieged Palestinian territory. For most onlookers, the scene is apocalyptic - but for rightwing Israelis who want to resettle the strip, it is a promising new horizon.

Once dismissed as the pipe dream of fringe extremists, the idea is gaining momentum thanks to Israel's military success in Gaza and political support from Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition.

Last week, near Be'eri, a border kibbutz devastated by the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, the pro-settlement organisation Nachala held a "Preparing to Resettle Gaza" conference, laying out its vision for the territory's future. The event was green-lit by the Israeli forces despite the area technically still being a closed military zone.

Several hundred people showed up, including government ministers and Knesset members.

The atmosphere at the two-day conference was festive, marking the Sukkot harvest celebration: there was singing and dancing, and popcorn and candyfloss. The area was awash in the blue and white of the Israeli flag, and most men attending carried pistols or rifles.

Adults took part in planning sessions in which speakers pointed out strategic areas on maps of Gaza, or milled about stands representing rightwing political parties and the Jewish supremacist group Lehava.

Children enjoyed a puppet show and petting zoo.

"We plan to take what we have acquired in the years of settling Judea and Samaria and to do the same thing here in Gaza," Nachala's chair, Daniella Weiss, a veteran of the settler movement, told those attending, using the Israeli nomenclature for the occupied West Bank.

Denne historien er fra November 01, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 01, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
'I constantly just think what if I didn't get Covid?'
The Guardian

'I constantly just think what if I didn't get Covid?'

Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles on the Paris ups and downs that earneda key rolein thenewseries of Sprint

time-read
6 mins  |
November 29, 2024
'adultification' Watchdog calls for of black children by police to end
The Guardian

'adultification' Watchdog calls for of black children by police to end

The police watchdog for England and Wales has called for urgent measures to stop the \"adultification\" of black children by officers, but campaigners have said the revised guidelines do not go far enough.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
The Guardian

Plan to halt arms aid

Donald Trump's plan to tap the retired US Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as US envoy to Ukraine and Russia has triggered renewed interest in a policy document he co-authored that proposes ending the war by withdrawing weapons from Ukraine if it does not enter peace talks - and giving even more weapons to Ukraine if Russia does not do the same.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Liverpool fear loss of Konaté and Bradley for City clash
The Guardian

Liverpool fear loss of Konaté and Bradley for City clash

Liverpool could be without the defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley when Manchester City visit on Sunday, with Arne Slot admitting the early signs on the injuries they sustained against Real Madrid are not good.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
'Worst experience of my life' Swiatek's positive test leads to one-month ban from tennis
The Guardian

'Worst experience of my life' Swiatek's positive test leads to one-month ban from tennis

Iga Swiatek, the women's tennis world No 2, has received a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Hummels ruins Spurs' night with late leveller to delight Ranieri
The Guardian

Hummels ruins Spurs' night with late leveller to delight Ranieri

Tottenham could have no complaints about dropping more points in the Europa League.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Nkunku and Mudryk keep Chelsea flying
The Guardian

Nkunku and Mudryk keep Chelsea flying

Chelsea moved to within one win of the Conference League last 16 with victory in Heidenheim to maintain their perfect start in the competition.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Højlund doubles up to secure Amorim's maiden win after first-half scare
The Guardian

Højlund doubles up to secure Amorim's maiden win after first-half scare

Ruben Amorim received a rapturous welcome from the Old Trafford congregation, then oversaw a helter-skelter victory in his first home as Manchester United's sixth No 1 of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Moshiri pledge over £451m loan if Everton sale drags on
The Guardian

Moshiri pledge over £451m loan if Everton sale drags on

Farhad Moshiri has agreed to convert his £451m loan to Everton into shares if the club have not been sold by the time new Premier League regulations on shareholder loans come into force.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Lampard out to prove critics wrong with Coventry return
The Guardian

Lampard out to prove critics wrong with Coventry return

Former Chelsea manager was 'outstanding candidate' says club's chairman

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024