“Time to pack your bags”: Removing Gazans dominates Israel’s election campaign

“Time to pack your bags.” The proposed removal of Palestinians from Gaza has become a central issue in Israel’s election campaign as the deadline for submitting October’s candidate lists approaches.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has published a seven-year plan to remove most residents of the Gaza Strip. He has made the plan a condition of his participation in the next government.

The move has sharpened divisions inside Israel’s right-wing coalition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing Ben Gvir to merge with smaller parties, but the national security minister is refusing. He believes he would have the decisive voice within the bloc.