The Diplomat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday rejected recent statements by two Israeli government ministers in favor of the resettlement of Palestinian population out of the Gaza Strip.
“The Government of Spain rejects recent statements by members of the Government of Israel evoking population movements in Gaza that would be contrary to international law,” the ministry said in a statement. “Spain reiterates the peremptory need to respect International Law and International Humanitarian Law and to guarantee the protection of the civilian population.
Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance and leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, and Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security and leader of the also far-right Otsmah party, have proposed the resettlement of Palestinians out of Gaza.
In a statement, the US State Department warned that “this rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible. “We have been told repeatedly and consistently by the Government of Israel (Benjamin Netanyahu), including by the Prime Minister, that such statements do not reflect the policy of the Israeli government,” it continued. “We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in control of its future and with no terror groups able to threaten Israel,” it added.
