JERUSALEM
The former deputy speaker of Israel's Knesset Moshe Feiglin on Saturday called for forcing Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip and putting Israelis instead to solve Israel's housing problem.
"Gaza is part of our territory and we will continue to be there forever," Feiglin said.
He added in an article he published on the website of Channel 7 that Jews would live in Gaza after it was liberated from "Terrorism."
Feiglin said this would alleviate the housing crisis in Israel, noting that a coastal railroad would be extended to the Gaza Strip.
He went on to say that most of Gaza's Arab residents wanted to leave it, adding that Arabs who did not participate in anti-Israel activities would be offered assistance to emigrate.
"Those who want to stay [in Gaza] can be given permanent residence permits," Feiglin said.
Feiglin failed to get endorsement from the right-wing Likud Party to represent it in the latest Knesset election.
Nevertheless, he declared support for the party during the election.
Palestinians are apprehensive that a right-wing government in Israel will adopt radical laws against them.
Since its establishment 66 years ago, Israel has continued to misappropriate Palestinian land in the West Bank – on which it continues to build Jewish-only settlements – in breach of international law.
Palestinians demand the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem – currently occupied by Israel – as its capital.
