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The White House issued sharp rebukes on Monday against comments made by Israeli extremist members of government regarding resettlement plans in Gaza, branding them as "reckless" and "incendiary." Meanwhile, France criticized the hosting of a conference in Jerusalem advocating for the establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza.
In a statement, the French foreign ministry spokesman emphasized the expectation for clear denunciations of such positions from Israeli authorities.
The remarks come in the wake of a contentious gathering on Sunday, where Israel's hard-right Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, urged Jewish settlers to return to Gaza. The statement drew condemnation from Palestinians, who interpreted it as a call for their forced deportation.
Ben-Gvir's remarks appeared to clash with the official stance articulated by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who reiterated that Israel has no intention of establishing a permanent presence in Gaza post-conflict with Hamas. Notably, there was no public reprimand of the minister from Netanyahu.
The divergence between extremist rhetoric and government policy underscores the complexities of Israeli politics and the challenges of managing internal discourse amidst broader regional tensions.
The condemnation from the White House and France reflects international concerns regarding the potential implications of inflammatory rhetoric on efforts to de-escalate tensions and pursue constructive dialogue in the region.
As diplomatic pressures mount, the statements serve as reminders of the delicate balance required to navigate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advance prospects for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
White House Condemns Israeli Extremist Comments on Gaza Resettlement
White House Condemns Israeli Extremist Comments on Gaza Resettlement
