Israel’s defence minister’s remarks that nations like “Spain, Ireland, Norway and others” are “legally obligated” to accept Palestinians have been deemed inflammatory by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, reports RTE.
Israel Katz said this while giving the Israeli army instructions to draft a strategy that would permit the “voluntary departure” of Gaza people.
The directive came after US President Donald Trump declared that the US will annex Gaza, relocate the Palestinians already there, and turn the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” reports RTE.
Palestinians should be taken in by nations who have criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza, according to Mr. Katz.
He said: “Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have falsely accused Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory. Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse. Meanwhile, countries like Canada, which has a structured immigration programme, have previously expressed willingness to take in residents from Gaza,” reports RTE.
According to a representative for Mr. Martin, “the two-state solution is the only viable solution,” “the Palestinian people have a right to their own homeland,” and “all sides must cooperate to help the Palestinians and Israeli people live side-by-side in peace.”
“I believe the Defence Minister’s comments were provocative and the focus should be on ensuring that the war in Gaza ends, that the second phase of the ceasefire comes into force and that all remaining hostages are released,” the spokeswoman continued, reports RTE.
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A spokesperson for Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said that the priority for Ireland and the international community must remain on “ensuring the sustainability of the ceasefire, the release of the hostages, a significant surge in humanitarian aid, the rebuilding of Gaza, and a political process that delivers a two-state solution”.
“The objective must be that the people of Palestine return safely to their home and any comments to the contrary are unhelpful and a source of distraction,” the spokesperson added.
José Manuel Albares, Spain’s foreign minister, denied Mr. Katz’s proposal that Spain take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza, reports RTE.
“Gazans’ land is Gaza and Gaza must be part of the future Palestinian state,” Mr. Albares stated during an interview with RNE on Spanish radio.
In addition to specific provisions for departure by air and sea, Mr. Katz’s proposal will provide evacuation alternatives via land borders.
Mr Katz said he welcomed President Trump’s “bold initiative” which “can create extensive opportunities for those in Gaza who wish to leave, assist them in resettling in host countries, and support long-term reconstruction efforts in a demilitarised, threat-free Gaza after Hamas – an effort that will take many years”, reports RTE.
When President Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza caused a stir, his administration seemed to change its mind.
While the White House maintained that there was no commitment to sending US soldiers, Mr. Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that any movement of Gazans would only be temporary, reports RTE.
At a White House news conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Trump asserted that “everyone loves” the idea, which he unveiled to audible gasps.
According to Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Israel has also notified the UN Human Rights Council that it will join the US in ceasing to participate, reports RTE.
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