Jewish Settlers Direct Attention to Gaza Beachfront for Development

The allure of a beachfront property extends even to Israel’s far-right, where some envision the coveted sands of Gaza as part of their desirable coastal landscape.

One such individual is Daniella Weiss, 78, often regarded as the matriarch of Israel’s settler movement. She claims to have a list of 500 families eager to relocate to Gaza immediately, emphasizing the area’s stunning coastline.

As the leader of Nachala, a radical settler organization, Weiss has been instrumental in establishing Jewish settlements across the Israeli-occupied territories, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, following Israel’s capture of Palestinian land in the 1967 Middle East war.

For some within the settler movement, the dream of returning to Gaza emerged after Israel’s unilateral withdrawal in 2005, which saw the evacuation of 21 settlements and approximately 9,000 settlers. This withdrawal was viewed by many settlers as a betrayal and strategic blunder by the Israeli government.

Although resettling Gaza is not supported by most Israelis, and it is not government policy, recent discussions about it have emerged, particularly among the more extreme voices within Israel’s government.

Weiss proudly displays a map adorned with pink dots representing Jewish settlements scattered across the West Bank, encroaching on land intended for a Palestinian state. The settler population in these areas has swelled to approximately 700,000 and continues to rise rapidly.

While international law considers settlements illegal, Israel disputes this assertion.

Weiss envisions a future where Gaza, currently home to 2.3 million Palestinians, becomes predominantly Jewish. She argues that Palestinians would willingly leave Gaza and suggests that other countries should provide refuge for them.

When pressed on whether her plan amounts to ethnic cleansing, Weiss does not refute the characterization, emphasizing her priority to protect Israel.

At a small gathering, Weiss promotes the idea of returning to Gaza, projecting maps showcasing potential settlements and distributing leaflets titled “Go back to Gaza.” Attendees express enthusiasm for the idea, eager to reclaim former settlement areas.

Meanwhile, Yehuda Shimon, residing in a settler outpost near Nablus, emphasizes a divine mandate to return to Gaza, viewing it as an integral part of Israel. He suggests that Palestinians have ample alternative destinations, and envisions a Jewish-dominated Gaza resembling Tel Aviv.

Despite these sentiments, skepticism persists about the feasibility of resettling Gaza. While some advocate for it passionately, translating such calls into actionable policy remains uncertain.

As tensions escalate and settler attacks on Palestinians surge, the prospect of settlers reaching Gaza’s beachfront remains speculative, with uncertainty prevailing over the realization of such ambitions.