Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Smotrich: Israel advancing plans for Gazan emigration

The government is working to establish a “migration administration” to oversee the process.

Bezalel Smotrich
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a Religious Zionism Party faction meeting at the Knesset, Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

Israel is actively developing a large-scale emigration plan for Palestinians in Gaza, in coordination from the United States, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Sunday.

Speaking to the Knesset’s Land of Israel Caucus, the Religious Zionism Party leader said that the government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, is working to establish a “migration administration” to oversee the process.

Smotrich outlined a proposed timeline, suggesting that relocating 10,000 people daily could see the process completed within six months. He said that financial constraints would not hinder the effort, despite its logistical complexity.

Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strook, also from the Religious Zionism Party, reinforced the initiative’s strategic rationale, saying that security in Gaza could only be ensured through “a voluntary migration plan.”

Ahmed Moor, who has called Hamas rocket fire “self-defense” and said that “‘Zionist Israel’ does not have the right to exist,” is the first candidate to announce that he’s taking on the pro-Israel stalwart.
Daniel Meron said that many countries that decry Israel publicly “in real life, they do business with Israel and they enjoy the great Israeli achievements in technology,” and “we are very pleased to cooperate with them.”
Arab parties, haredi conscription and Trump complicate his coalition bid.
The party’s planned appeal centers on alleged use of voter-mobilization apps in the Arab community.