Israel Not Planning Forced Palestinian Expulsion from Gaza, Says Foreign Minister Saar

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi clarified on Wednesday that Israel has no plans to forcibly expel or deport Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Responding to a question at a joint press conference with the Slovenian Foreign Minister regarding potential Slovenian support for such a move, Ashkenazi stated, "We are not planning to expel or remove anyone from the Gaza Strip. Of course not."

However, Ashkenazi added that Israel would not oppose voluntary emigration. "If someone wishes to emigrate of their own free will, and there is a country willing to accept them, as happens in any conflict zone around the world, we will not oppose it," he said. He emphasized that Israel would not force anyone to leave against their will, provided any such departures align with international law and accepted norms.

The statement comes amid a campaign by right-wing parties in Israel advocating for encouraging voluntary emigration from Gaza, a sentiment echoed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who visited the Temple Mount and suggested that just as control could be asserted there, Gaza could be conquered and voluntary emigration encouraged.

Separately, prior to Ashkenazi's visit to Slovenia for the opening of a new Israeli embassy, the Belgian pro-Palestinian organization HRF filed a criminal complaint against him with Slovenian authorities. The complaint accuses Ashkenazi of responsibility for war crimes, genocide, and torture during the war in Gaza, alleging his involvement in formulating, approving, and publicly defending Israeli policy related to the conflict. There is no indication that Slovenian authorities are pursuing these claims, and serving foreign ministers generally enjoy broad personal immunity under international law.