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Bezalel Smotrich calls for permanent Israeli sovereignty in Gaza and Lebanon
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to permanently apply sovereignty over territories it currently controls in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Speaking at the National Conservatism Conference in Jerusalem, Smotrich argued that a nation that initiates a war and subsequently loses it should be required to cede territory to the victor to ensure lasting deterrence.
Smotrich further advocated for the voluntary migration of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Arab and Muslim countries, describing Gaza as a “distorted political entity” that is unsustainable. He also characterized Palestinian nationalism as a “fiction” or “myth” created in the early 20th century to oppose Jewish nationalism.
In justifying Zionist territorial claims, Smotrich cited historical context, noting that the Jewish people were forcibly expelled by the Roman Empire approximately 2,000 years ago. His remarks come ahead of Israel's scheduled general elections on October 27.
Entities
Bezalel Smotrich · Gaza Strip · Israel · Israel · Lebanon · National Conservatism Conference · Religious Zionism Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Smotrich justified Zionist territorial claims by citing the forced expulsion of Jews by the Roman Empire approximately 2,000 years ago.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Smotrich advocated for a path of voluntary migration for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries. shms.ps · sarabic.ae · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Smotrich described Palestinian nationalism as a myth created in the early 20th century. sarabic.ae · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Smotrich called for Israel to permanently apply sovereignty over territories currently held in Gaza and Lebanon. shms.ps · sarabic.ae · newswatchmen.com · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Smotrich proposed a rule that any party initiating a war and losing it should cede territory to the victor. newswatchmen.com · sarabic.ae · worldisraelnews.com