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Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed on Sunday that Israel has no plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza, just days after members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government suggested that Palestinians should relocate elsewhere.
Herzog made the remark during a Sunday morning appearance on NBC's “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker. Far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have both suggested in recent days that Israel should encourage large numbers of Palestinians to relocate from Gaza.
“I say openly, officially and unequivocally that this is not the Israeli position,” Herzog said when asked about the controversy. “A minister can say whatever he wants. I may not like it, but that’s Israeli policy.”
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The US State Department strongly condemned any plans to relocate Palestinians in a statement following the ministers' comments.
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Shown Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed on Sunday that Israel has no plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza, just days after members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government suggested that Palestinians should relocate elsewhere. (Saul Loeb/Pool via Portal/File)
“The United States rejects recent statements by Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip. This rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible,” the ministry wrote last week.
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The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Herzog's interview.
ISRAEL DEFENDS AGAINST GENOCIDE CHARGES BILLED BY SOUTH AFRICA TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT
Netanyahu has vowed that the war in Gaza will last “many more months,” and he has indicated that Israel will continue to play an important security role in the region for a significant period after the conflict. However, he has not indicated that he would seek to relocate Palestinians.
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Netanyahu has not indicated he would seek to relocate Palestinians. (FOX News/Hannity)
Israel and Hamas are negotiating a new hostage exchange. The USA, Qatar and Egypt are also involved in the talks.
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Qatar said negotiations stalled last week after top Hamas commander Saleh al-Arouri was killed in an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, last week. While Israel has denied responsibility for the attack, Hamas negotiators have become more withdrawn.