Russia voices worry about Gaza "recolonization"
Moscow’s envoy to the UN has responded to remarks made by Israeli officials regarding the potential forcible alteration of the demographics in the enclave. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Moscow’s ambassador to the UN has voiced concern following statements by Israeli officials proposing the forced demographic change of Gaza.
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed alarm over Israeli authorities' suggestions of replacing Palestinians with Jewish settlers in the enclave. He also criticized the US for its protection of Israel through vetoes in the UN Security Council.
Since 1967, Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank, disregarding the international community's resolutions.
Following a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, that resulted in 1,200 fatalities and over 250 abductions, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Reports from local Hamas-controlled health officials indicate that the extensive aerial bombardment and ground assault by the Israel Defense Forces have led to the deaths of 45,000 Palestinians in the densely populated area.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Nebenzia remarked that the “Israelis continue to further their plans on building new [illegal] settlements in the West Bank,” along with demolishing Palestinian homes based on dubious pretexts. According to the Russian envoy, such actions hinder any possibility of reaching a negotiated resolution to the protracted conflict.
He also cited numerous cases of harassment and violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers against Palestinians, asserting that Israeli authorities have often ignored these incidents. “Against this backdrop, Israeli officials’ remarks on forcibly changing the demographics of Gaza with a view to ‘recolonizing’ the enclave are causing particular concern,” Nebenzia said.
He went on to argue that Israel is misusing its legitimate right to self-defense by carrying out indiscriminate military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring Lebanon and Syria. “To our huge regret, all efforts by the UN Security Council to impose a ceasefire and free the hostages have so far been blocked by the US,” Nebenzia stated, referencing Washington's repeated vetoes.
In October, various Israeli ministers and settler activists participated in a rally near the Gaza border, where attendees called for the expulsion of Palestinians from the enclave to make way for Jewish settlement.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party, asserted at the event: “What we have learned this year is that everything is up to us. We are the owners of this land.” May Golan, the minister for social equality and women’s rights, echoed his statements, promising that “anyone who uses their plot of land to plan another Holocaust will receive from us… another Nakba.” This term refers to the mass displacement of more than 750,000 Arabs from Palestine in 1948.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed alarm over Israeli authorities' suggestions of replacing Palestinians with Jewish settlers in the enclave. He also criticized the US for its protection of Israel through vetoes in the UN Security Council.
Since 1967, Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank, disregarding the international community's resolutions.
Following a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, that resulted in 1,200 fatalities and over 250 abductions, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Reports from local Hamas-controlled health officials indicate that the extensive aerial bombardment and ground assault by the Israel Defense Forces have led to the deaths of 45,000 Palestinians in the densely populated area.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Nebenzia remarked that the “Israelis continue to further their plans on building new [illegal] settlements in the West Bank,” along with demolishing Palestinian homes based on dubious pretexts. According to the Russian envoy, such actions hinder any possibility of reaching a negotiated resolution to the protracted conflict.
He also cited numerous cases of harassment and violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers against Palestinians, asserting that Israeli authorities have often ignored these incidents. “Against this backdrop, Israeli officials’ remarks on forcibly changing the demographics of Gaza with a view to ‘recolonizing’ the enclave are causing particular concern,” Nebenzia said.
He went on to argue that Israel is misusing its legitimate right to self-defense by carrying out indiscriminate military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring Lebanon and Syria. “To our huge regret, all efforts by the UN Security Council to impose a ceasefire and free the hostages have so far been blocked by the US,” Nebenzia stated, referencing Washington's repeated vetoes.
In October, various Israeli ministers and settler activists participated in a rally near the Gaza border, where attendees called for the expulsion of Palestinians from the enclave to make way for Jewish settlement.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party, asserted at the event: “What we have learned this year is that everything is up to us. We are the owners of this land.” May Golan, the minister for social equality and women’s rights, echoed his statements, promising that “anyone who uses their plot of land to plan another Holocaust will receive from us… another Nakba.” This term refers to the mass displacement of more than 750,000 Arabs from Palestine in 1948.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
