Religious Zionism Party Backs Jewish Settlements in Southern Lebanon

The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, has declared its support for establishing Jewish settlements in southern Lebanon. In responses to questions posed to various parties on the Telegram channel 'Abu Ali Express,' the party stated its plan includes annexing territory up to the Litani River and the Yellow Line, and establishing a series of Jewish communities there. This statement, however, was not found on the party's official website or social media, and the party did not respond to inquiries from the 'Davar' newspaper regarding the matter.

The party's platform also addresses the conflict in Gaza, advocating for full security control, followed by the establishment of Jewish settlements to ensure Israel's security. Smotrich has reportedly prepared plans for three settlements in Gaza's northern buffer zone. The party believes this approach would facilitate a "voluntary migration" plan for Gazans by making the territory uninhabitable and discouraging hopes of rebuilding Gaza.

The Zehut party, also part of the Religious Zionism list, shares a similar vision for Gaza, summarized as "conquest, expulsion, and settlement." They advocate for annexing Gaza, expelling its population, and imposing full Israeli sovereignty. Other parties, like Am Israel and Yisrael Beiteinu, focused more on military action against Hamas and separating the civilian population from the organization, though Am Israel's Ofer Winter also mentioned encouraging voluntary migration, and Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman called for easing open-fire regulations and transferring governance to an agreed-upon Arab entity.

Regarding Lebanon, Religious Zionism and Zehut explicitly support annexing territory and establishing settlements. Am Israel proposed creating a sterile buffer zone up to the Litani River. Naftali Bennett, however, emphasized targeting Iran as the "head of the octopus" and suggested diplomatic pressure on Hezbollah, alongside strengthening the Lebanese army and government. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would not withdraw from security zones and warned that Hezbollah would lose more territory if it joined an attack on Israel, turning southern Lebanon into a permanent Israeli security zone.

In the West Bank, Religious Zionism, Zehut, Am Israel, and Yisrael Beiteinu all called for canceling the Oslo Accords and dismantling the Palestinian Authority. They also support settlement expansion, particularly in the E-1 area, and applying Israeli sovereignty. Yisrael Beiteinu proposed Israeli-Jordanian cooperation in Areas A and B, with Jordan managing daily Palestinian life. Am Israel suggested a voluntary migration plan from the West Bank and establishing municipal leaderships instead of the PA. Bennett also backed construction in E-1, stressing opposition to a Palestinian state and vowing not to cede any territory.