diplomat
The Foreign Ministry yesterday rejected recent statements by two Israeli government ministers supporting the resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
“The Spanish government rejects recent statements by Israeli government officials that provoke population movements in the Gaza Strip that are contrary to international law,” the ministry said in a statement. “Spain reiterates the imperative need to respect international law and international humanitarian law and to guarantee the protection of civilians.
Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party and Minister of Finance, and Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Party and Minister of State Security, proposed resettling Palestinians from Gaza.
“This statement is inflammatory and irresponsible,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “We have been repeatedly and consistently told by the Israeli government, including the Prime Minister (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), that such statements do not reflect the policies of the Israeli government.” “We are clear, consistent and unequivocal that Gaza is and always will be Palestinian land, that Hamas no longer controls its future, and that no terrorist group threatens Israel. “I have insisted on this,” he added.