Israeli opposition leader takes aim at Rafah ‘humanitarian city’ plan
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting that opposition leader Yair Lapid has commented on the proposal to make Rafah a so-called humanitarian city for Gaza’s entire population, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is letting [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir run wild with extremist delusions just to preserve his coalition”.
“With the 15 billion [shekels ($4.5bn)] that Smotrich’s humanitarian city in Rafah will cost, it would be possible to reduce the size of our children’s classrooms, lower the prices of fuel and public transportation, subsidise daycare centres and kindergartens,” Lapid was quoted as saying.
“Instead of stealing the middle class’s money, end the war and return the hostages,” he concluded.
On Monday, Defence Minister Israel Katz unveiled plans to establish the “humanitarian city” to house Gaza’s 2.1 million Palestinians on the ruins of Rafah. Rights groups, international organisations and several nations have slammed the plan, saying it lays the ground for “ethnic cleansing”.
Germany’s Merz decries Israel’s plan for forced relocation of Gaza’s population
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised Israel’s plan to relocate 600,000 Palestinians to an internment camp built on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza.
“The way things are currently happening in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable,” Merz said during an interview with public broadcaster ARD, reiterating his call for increased humanitarian aid and a ceasefire.
“I have not liked what the Israeli government has been doing in the Gaza Strip for many weeks now. I have also expressed that,” the conservative leader said.
“I hope that we Europeans, together with the Americans, can bring about a solution that ultimately leads to a two-state solution. The Palestinians have a right to have a place where they can live,” Merz said.
Germany has offered unflinching military and diplomatic support for Israel for the majority of its war on Gaza, which multiple international bodies have described as a genocide.
You were fine with what they were doing before??? Glad building concentration camps is finally waking you up... But probably just more empty words while continuing to send weapons to Israel and block and action in the EU parliament.
