Survivor Aviyad Bechar Rejects Gaza Peace Council Agreement, Urges Unity in Israel
Aviyad Bechar, a survivor of the October 7 massacre, sharply criticized the emerging peace framework proposed by the Gaza Peace Council in an interview on Sunday. He argued that Israel has learned nothing from the October 7 attacks and condemned any attempts to make peace with Gaza’s militant groups, stating, "I still consider myself left-wing, but I understand one thing: Arabs must not exist there. I am basically the Ben-Gurion of the past."
Bechar dismissed the recent announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump about a historic agreement to dismantle terrorist organizations in Gaza, including Hamas. He called all Gazans terrorists, whether armed or involved in education or the economy, claiming their sole goal is to prevent Israelis from living in the land. He warned that the problem is far from resolved and expressed deep disappointment with Israel’s right-wing government, which has been in power for 20 years, accusing it of repeatedly failing to handle Gaza effectively.
Regarding Israel’s current control of about 70% of Gaza’s territory, Bechar expressed concern that the border lines are illusory and that Hamas will quickly regain control. He rejected the idea of Jewish settlements in Gaza but insisted that Arabs should not be allowed to live there, suggesting that only non-Arabs such as Americans or Singaporeans could be present. He warned that continued tolerance would lead to future attacks.
When asked about changing attitudes among residents of kibbutzim near Gaza, Bechar said many still hope for coexistence but are constrained by a "Jewish defect" that prevents them from expelling Arabs. He argued that Israel currently shows more compassion to its enemies than to itself and that this must change.
In closing, Bechar appealed to the Israeli public to unite and avoid internal conflict after resolving the Gaza issue. He emphasized the importance of civility and mutual respect, saying, "Our strength lies in our unity."
