Friends,
Last night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video, in English, stating he has “no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.”
This is a welcome, overdue and significant statement.
It comes after months of members of Netanyahu’s government – including from his own party – calling to “burn” and “flatten” Gaza, even to pursue a “Gaza Nakba 2023.” Just days ago, two right-wing ministers called for Israeli settlements in Gaza, with reports emerging that Netanyahu himself told colleagues he was pursuing plans for the mass emigration of Palestinian civilians.
But as security experts from America and Israel have made clear, it’s in nobody’s interest for the settlement-movement to pursue its goals of displacement, annexation and continued occupation in Gaza: It’s a recipe for endless conflict and tragedy, and undermines support for the goals of defeating Hamas, freeing hostages and pursuing a long-term peace.
Last night’s statement also came after a day of intense, on-the-ground diplomacy from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and amid international outcry over the prospect of mass transfers.
Prior to the visit, J Street called on the Biden Administration to press Netanyahu to make precisely this commitment. As Secretary Blinken said: “Palestinian civilians must be allowed to return home as soon as conditions allow, and they must not be pressed to leave Gaza.”
The United States must now maintain this focus. As we said Monday: Following appalling statements from ministers, the Netanyahu government must be pushed to make this commitment both in word and in deed.
Friends: If you agree, please add your name to our petition below.
Petition: No Mass Displacement from Gaza
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Prime Minister Netanyahu’s undertaking not to pursue mass transfers and endless occupation is welcome – but we know these words must be matched with action.
As military operations continue in Gaza, 85% of the territory’s 2.3 million residents have been forced to flee their homes. An unfathomably large number – approximately 500,000 people – now have no homes to return to, with entire neighborhoods destroyed. Last week, the UN humanitarian chief warned that Gaza had become “uninhabitable,” with two US Senators warning that convoys of humanitarian aid were being unduly restricted as a result of political decisions by the Netanyahu government.
There is clearly more that must be done.
As we note that the Israeli military plans to shift from a large-scale ground and air campaign toward a more targeted, focused operation, we continue to urge the Biden Administration to use all US leverage to ensure this swiftly results in meaningful change on the ground: Safety for civilians, progress toward hostage releases, plans for families to return home, and an immediate, significant surge in food, water, shelter, medicine and other lifesaving aid.
With a prime minister backed by the settlement movement and continuing to rely on extremist ministers for his political survival, US pressure will be vital to ensure his words are followed through upon.
Just as Palestinian leaders and advocates must accept the right of millions of Israelis to live in peace and safety in Israel, so too must Israeli leaders accept the right of millions of Palestinians to live in peace and safety in Palestinian territory.
Please read, sign and share our petition if you agree.
Yours sincerely,
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Chief of Staff, J Street
