Ben-Gvir Proposes "Voluntary Emigration" Ministry for Gaza Post-War
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the "Otzma Yehudit" party, announced plans to establish a "Ministry for Voluntary Emigration and the Post-War Reality in Gaza" following the next elections. This proposed ministry would coordinate with destination countries, manage emigration processes, offer benefits and assistance to families, conduct security checks, and handle legal aspects and international cooperation.
Ben-Gvir emphasized that any migration would be strictly voluntary and require the consent of the receiving country, while also aiming to remove bureaucratic obstacles for Gazans wishing to leave. The plan, dubbed "Disengagement Plan 710," is based on three years of research by "Otzma Yehudit" groups, which identified significant demand for emigration from Gaza but also three key obstacles: lack of commitment from other countries to accept migrants, absence of a continuous organizational structure for emigration, and insufficient resources and information for individuals.
The research highlights Gaza's dense population of 1.7 to 2.4 million, with over half under 18, high birth rates, and pre-war poverty and unemployment exceeding 50%. Significant infrastructure damage from the current conflict is expected to take years to repair. Hamas opposes emigration, and the Palestinian Authority is weak, with widespread distrust among Gazans towards alternative governance.
Surveys indicate a growing desire to leave Gaza, with 32% wanting to emigrate before the war and 60% expressing a desire for permanent residency elsewhere in a March 2024 poll. The plan acknowledges the challenge of finding countries willing to accept large numbers of migrants, noting that neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, as well as European and Western nations, are opposed to mass migration from Gaza.
Ben-Gvir's proposed ministry would operate on principles of free departure, maintaining family unity, individual case management, and engagement with "target states." Research suggests Gazans prefer destinations in the Persian Gulf (50%), Europe (30%), or North America (20%). The ministry would also work with regional and local authorities in destination countries to facilitate absorption and integration programs. The plan does not specify the expected scale of migration or the future of the territory after emigration, with "Otzma Yehudit" currently focusing on steps benefiting Gaza's population.
