Israeli Finance Minister Proposes Gaza Population Reduction

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ignited outrage by advocating for the occupation of Gaza and a reduction of its population by half within two years, suggesting financial incentives could be used to encourage Palestinians to leave. Speaking at a Yesha Council conference, he described the occupation as a non-negative term and proposed that rendering Gaza 'uninhabitable' would facilitate this demographic shift. Critics have condemned his remarks as genocidal and indicative of ethnic cleansing, reflecting a troubling rise in far-right sentiment in Israeli politics. Smotrich's comments follow a history of similar statements, including plans for the full annexation of the West Bank and the elimination of a Palestinian state. The Israeli military's ongoing operations in Gaza have resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with significant casualties reported among civilians. These developments raise alarms among international human rights groups, exacerbating concerns over the treatment of Palestinians under Israeli policies.