Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, criticized the statements made by his colleagues in the government, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, in which they called for the “exodus” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, and the rebuilding of settlements on these Palestinian lands.

Zohar, who belongs to the Likud Party, told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth about “displacement”:

- It is an unrealistic idea, and it is clear that the international community will not accept it.

- Even if you have such a belief or goal, it is possible to discuss the idea behind closed doors.

- It is clear that there is no one in Israel who would not be happy if the people of Gaza decided to immigrate voluntarily and were happy to leave, but discussing the matter publicly is not very realistic, nor is it helpful.

- Even if we believe in an idea like this, we need to have a deeper discussion and investigate it before we spread it and see the ramifications. We see what happened with the Americans.

Ben Gvir stated several days ago that “promoting a solution that encourages the migration of Gazans is necessary. It is a correct, just, moral and humane solution.”

The extremist minister considered that "the exit of the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip would also open the way for the re-establishment of Jewish settlements on Palestinian lands."

Smotrich also called, on Sunday, for the return of Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip after the end of the war, considering that the Palestinians of the Strip should be “encouraged” to immigrate to other countries.

Several countries, including the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia, denounced these statements and expressed their rejection of the idea.