As the rays of the sun shine down on Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, Avi gazes towards the location he aspires to call home. It’s a mere two miles away, glistening in the sunlight.
“It would be a true honor,” he states, turning towards his wife and three young children.
Their intention is to relocate to Gaza.
Though he is uncertain of the timeline, he is optimistic it will happen soon, provided it is secure to do so.
As if timed perfectly, a loud boom echoes as another shell is launched into Gaza from a nearby artillery position.
Avi is among many.
Surrounding us are numerous Israelis eager to enter Gaza and claim it as their territory.
They have gathered at a conference on the resettlement of Gaza at Kibbutz Be’eri as a demonstration of resolve and unity. Many attendees are couples accompanied by children.
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A tent is occupied by children engaged in entertainment, refreshments are being distributed, and a stage hosts speeches and musical performances. Individuals converse in the shade of a gazebo.
There is a notable presence of firearms, and the atmosphere is laden with feelings of frustration, entitlement, and even exhilaration.
Reshit attends with her friends. She is the daughter of an Israeli soldier who spent extensive time in Gaza and is currently deployed in Lebanon. She is amiable, articulate, self-assured, and completely resolute.
So, why does one desire to live in Gaza?
Israelis wave flags during a conference on the resettlement of Gaza
“Because it’s our homeland,” she responds. “The Torah indicates this is our home, this is our land, and we have every right to reside there.
“Many soldiers have sacrificed their lives in this. We need to continue what they initiated. They perished for a purpose. They set a foundation. And I believe it’s our obligation to their memory and for their families to continue their work.
“They made sacrifices for a cause, thus we must also dedicate ourselves to that cause.”
What, I inquire, about the Palestinians who currently inhabit Gaza? What should their fate be? Without hesitation, she answers.
“We should eliminate them, every single one. If the government refuses to do so, then we should just expel them. This is our territory. And we rightfully deserve it.”
A call for mass killings isn’t proposed by others we encounter, at least not in our discussions, yet the notion that Palestinians should relinquish their land and be displaced to other countries appears widely accepted.
“Historically, nations that lose conflicts end up losing their territories,” shared a man named Boris, who claims to be an activist for Likud, the political party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Until recently, the proposal to send settlers into Gaza had very few advocates—considered a minor agenda with negligible support.
Now, right-wing politicians have rallied behind it with vigor, demonstrating their intent not merely to defeat Hamas but to transform the region.
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Smoke billows from Gaza as seen from southern Israel. Pic: Reuters
Hence, alongside the aspiring settlers, politicians are present, adding their influence.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the vocal minister of national security, appears to express his approval, agreeing that Palestinians ought to be evacuated from Gaza.
Another prominent figure is Ariel Kallner, a Likud Member of Parliament, who shares that he is here to demonstrate his backing for the settlers’ aspirations.
He asserts that “unconditional victory” in the conflict can only be attained when settlers establish a community in northern Gaza. In the background, smoke rises ominously over Gaza.
Within a spacious tent nearby, a loudspeaker suddenly crackles to life.
Daniella Weiss steps onto the stage to applause. Now vibrantly aged 79, she has dedicated five decades to encouraging settlers to establish communities in the West Bank.
She claims to have facilitated the creation of over 330 settlements and is now focusing on Gaza.
“You see, it wasn’t straightforward. We have gathered substantial experience on how to navigate this politically, how to collaborate with politicians and engage the public effectively, and how to motivate the pioneers to settle in a region that is their rightful land, albeit also a challenging environment,” she explains. “We can guide them on how to endure.”
Sky’s Adam Parsons converses with Daniella Weiss
A disturbance emerges, this time from the adjacent field. Counter-protesters have arrived, and a line of police officers stands between them and the settlers. They are vocal in their dissent and waving banners.
Mickal Frucktman stands visibly agitated. She expresses her shock at seeing Likud politicians at the gathering, stating, “I believe this indicates government endorsement of this concept.”
“What they intend to do is unlawful and will lead to tremendous difficulties. It will morally devastate Israel, if there remains any shred of morality. Moreover, there are still 101 hostages being held.”
She looks at the settlers, who return her gaze. It’s challenging to envision any common ground between these opposing factions, any sense of camaraderie.
And from somewhere close by, a boom reverberates as another shell is fired into Gaza.
