Gazans should be sent to emigrate to France or other countries in Europe so that Israel can “conquer the whole territory” of the Gaza Strip, far Right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told The Jerusalem Post in a recent interview, arguing that he supported US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians there.
“If you ask me what should be done in Gaza, we should conquer the entire territory. All of it. It is our land, the Jewish people’s land. And we should encourage emigration,” Ben-Gvir told the Post.
In February 2025, Trump proposed relocating approximately two million Gazans as part of an emigration plan, though the proposal has since stalled.
Amid the current protests in France, Ben-Gvir has recently shared AI-generated videos depicting Gazans being transported to Paris by the far Right minister himself.
“This is a very good plan proposed by Donald Trump: encouraging emigration. Many of them could go to better places,” Ben-Gvir said, arguing they would receive good conditions in Europe.
“There are more attractive places, places looking for workers, and places where they could live more comfortably,” he said.
“Why not send them to France, for example? Give them good conditions in other countries, perhaps Britain, London, or places like that,” the minister added.
Polling projects Ben-Gvir's party to win roughly eight seats in next Knesset
Ben-Gvir’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party has been a key member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Recent polling projects Otzma Yehudit to win about eight seats in the next Knesset. Ben-Gvir has announced that he will demand the defense portfolio in the next government.
When asked what he thought about Palestinians who would object to leaving the Gaza Strip, arguing that it was their home and refusing to move even under good conditions, Ben-Gvir referenced the October 7 Hamas massacre in 2023.
“Someone whose home it is does not start a war and massacre children. Someone whose home it is does not rape women. Someone whose home it is does not burn babies. Once they did those things, they lost the legitimacy of making that argument,” the minister said.
“You cannot make that argument and say it was just one, two, or three people, or that it was only a small number. There were many, many, many, many [Palestinians] involved,” he added.
“And there were also people we describe as uninvolved civilians who tortured our male and female hostages.”
“This has to stop. This cannot continue. I believe that someone who says and does these things, someone who inflicts this kind of harm, cannot claim that this is their home. People do not behave like that in their own home,” Ben-Gvir added.
Ben-Gvir advocated for 'bombing Gaza' before October 7 attacks
The far Right minister repeatedly opposed hostage-ceasefire deals throughout the Israel-Hamas War, advocating for continued military action rather than an agreement.
When asked whether he regretted his stance, Ben-Gvir did not answer directly, instead arguing that the cabinet should have listened to him more before October 7. He also said that Netanyahu bore responsibility for the October 7 attacks.
“Before October 7, when I was going to cabinet meetings, I kept saying, ‘Let’s bomb Gaza. Let’s carry out targeted killings,’” he said.
“Imagine if they had listened to me on this ... it’s a great shame,” he added.
Ben-Gvir, whose views are often characterized as extreme, has been criticized for rhetoric that opponents say has contributed to the deterioration of Israel’s international image. He has also faced criticism over rising crime rates, particularly in the Arab sector, during the government’s term.
Regarding the rise in crime in the Arab sector, Ben-Gvir argued that a main factor behind the increase was restrictions imposed on him by Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara.
According to Ben-Gvir, early on, he wanted to introduce spyware into homes in Arab communities to allow police to listen in on conversations.
When asked about criticism that doing so would infringe on the right to privacy, Ben-Gvir claimed that such measures were permissible in some cases.
“There are cases where it is permissible to infringe on privacy, when we’re talking about murderers. In the end, murderers also kill children, including young children, so this is a very good thing.”
Ben-Gvir praises his work as National Security Minister
Ben-Gvir also said he had been unable to secure the budget for certain technological advancements, and that crime rates had lowered after some budgets were approved.
He argued that the police have been doing well, praising officers for their work.
“We have excellent police officers and female officers who are fighting on the front lines. They are entering these communities, exercising force, and establishing governance, and I am very proud of them.”
“Are they lacking intelligence capabilities? Yes, that’s true,” he added.
Ben-Gvir called on the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to become more involved in police work, arguing that the agency has the technology to enhance the police’s capabilities.
When asked whether he was concerned about the damage to Israel’s international standing that critics say has already occurred and warn could worsen, Ben-Gvir answered that Israel’s image abroad mattered to him, but that he would not “endanger the lives of soldiers” for it.
“I will not endanger the lives of combatants, soldiers, or civilians here just because I want Israel to look good in the eyes of the world,” he said.
This article is the second half of the complete interview with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The first half was published on Friday and can be found on JPost.com