Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim and Arab nations, issued a strong condemnation on Sunday against recent remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defence Minister Israel Katz, who advocated for relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. They cautioned that implementing such proposals could severely destabilize regional peace and security.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates jointly declared that any plans or mechanisms aimed at displacing Palestinians violate international law, including humanitarian law. They emphasized that these actions threaten the “legitimate and inalienable rights” of the Palestinian people.
In their statement, the ministers rejected all attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, whether inside or outside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, regardless of the rationale provided. They warned that transforming such calls into official government policies or actions to uproot Palestinians would have serious repercussions and undermine global efforts toward peace.
These statements followed Ben-Gvir’s announcement of a seven-year plan described as “voluntary emigration” for Palestinians from Gaza. Katz also indicated Israel’s readiness to facilitate Palestinians’ relocation by land, sea, or air. Ben-Gvir’s plan aims to relocate 250,000 Palestinians in the first year, with the remainder over the subsequent six years. His party has even proposed establishing a government ministry dedicated to emigration, identifying countries like Turkey, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as potential destinations.
Katz remarked earlier this week that there is “no real solution for Gaza” without migration, signaling Israel’s willingness to assist Palestinians in leaving the territory through various means. These comments have reignited Palestinian fears regarding the possibility of forced expulsion from Gaza.
The eight foreign ministers also highlighted that such proposals contradict international efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict, including former US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan, which explicitly rejects forced displacement. They stressed that these moves could jeopardize regional stability.
They reaffirmed that the Gaza Strip remains an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, calling for the preservation of its territorial unity with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The ministers reiterated their support for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, in line with relevant international resolutions.
Furthermore, the group urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to fulfill its obligations by opposing any attempts to alter the demographic or geographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They reaffirmed their backing for Palestinians’ right to remain on their land and rejected efforts to erase the Palestinian cause or undermine their legitimate rights.
This statement is part of a series of coordinated responses from these eight countries concerning the Gaza conflict and the wider Israeli-Palestinian dispute. They have consistently opposed Israeli settlement expansions, including condemning the “E1” settlement plan east of occupied East Jerusalem in August, warning these actions threaten the viability of a two-state solution.
They have also repeatedly opposed proposals to relocate Gaza residents, previously rejecting plans to transfer Palestinians into Egypt and emphasizing the necessity for Palestinians to remain on their land.
The renewed warnings come as Israel approaches its general election on October 27. Ben-Gvir and Katz, allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been promoting plans for the large-scale removal of Palestinians from Gaza. While Netanyahu supports what his government terms “voluntary emigration,” he has distanced himself from far-right calls to re-establish Jewish settlements in Gaza.
The 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken, Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have led to over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, Gaza health authorities, and widespread destruction across the territory. Israel denies accusations of genocide, maintaining that its military actions target Hamas militants rather than civilians.
The future of Gaza remains a pivotal issue in efforts to achieve a lasting political resolution. Arab and Muslim states insist that Gaza should remain part of a future Palestinian state, opposing any permanent displacement or territorial alteration.
