Israel urges European countries to accept displaced Palestinians
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has proposed that nations expressing criticism of military operations in Gaza should provide refuge for those who choose to leave. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has directed the Israel Defense Forces to develop a strategy aimed at encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza, as stated in a post he made on X on Thursday.
Katz proposed that European countries critical of West Jerusalem's military actions should accept refugees from Gaza. He highlighted that if these nations refused to welcome Gazans, it would expose their “hypocrisy.”
This comment follows assertions by former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, where he suggested that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” for reconstruction efforts, while also encouraging Palestinians to seek refuge in “neighboring countries of great wealth.”
Katz expressed support for Trump’s “bold initiative” aimed at relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
He suggested potential host countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, asserting that they have “falsely accused Israel” regarding its conflict with Hamas, and claimed these nations are “legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory.”
In response to Katz’s remarks, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares dismissed the idea that Spain should take in displaced individuals from Gaza. ”Spain makes decisions sovereignly and independently. No third party should tell us what to do,” Albares remarked to broadcaster RNE.
He emphasized that “Gazans’ land is Gaza” and that “Gaza should be part of the future Palestinian state.” Albares also stated that the discussion regarding Palestinians' departure from Gaza is “closed,” affirming that Spain “is introducing our humanitarian aid as much as possible to help the people.”
Ireland, which acknowledged Palestine as a state last year, also rebuffed Katz's comments about accepting war refugees. In a statement to Reuters, the Irish Foreign Department underscored that “The objective must be a massive scale-up of aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced can return,” and emphasized that “any comments to the contrary are unhelpful and a source of distraction.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
Katz proposed that European countries critical of West Jerusalem's military actions should accept refugees from Gaza. He highlighted that if these nations refused to welcome Gazans, it would expose their “hypocrisy.”
This comment follows assertions by former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, where he suggested that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” for reconstruction efforts, while also encouraging Palestinians to seek refuge in “neighboring countries of great wealth.”
Katz expressed support for Trump’s “bold initiative” aimed at relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
He suggested potential host countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, asserting that they have “falsely accused Israel” regarding its conflict with Hamas, and claimed these nations are “legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory.”
In response to Katz’s remarks, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares dismissed the idea that Spain should take in displaced individuals from Gaza. ”Spain makes decisions sovereignly and independently. No third party should tell us what to do,” Albares remarked to broadcaster RNE.
He emphasized that “Gazans’ land is Gaza” and that “Gaza should be part of the future Palestinian state.” Albares also stated that the discussion regarding Palestinians' departure from Gaza is “closed,” affirming that Spain “is introducing our humanitarian aid as much as possible to help the people.”
Ireland, which acknowledged Palestine as a state last year, also rebuffed Katz's comments about accepting war refugees. In a statement to Reuters, the Irish Foreign Department underscored that “The objective must be a massive scale-up of aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced can return,” and emphasized that “any comments to the contrary are unhelpful and a source of distraction.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
