In a recent interview, former Knesset member and Likud party member Moshe Feiglin made controversial statements regarding Israel’s approach towards Gaza. Feiglin expressed his belief that Israel should level Gaza to the ground and expel all Palestinians to Egypt as a means to deter its enemies. His remarks, especially his comparison of firebombing Gaza to the German city of Dresden during World War II, quickly spread on social media.
During his conversation with the Israel News Network (INN), Feiglin criticized the delay in avenging the Hamas attack on Israel, stating that the country had not sought biblical revenge by immediately burning Gaza to ashes. He insisted that Israel’s primary objective should be to destroy Gaza, including both above-ground structures and the underground tunnels, before sending in the army. Feiglin proposed creating a massive humanitarian crisis by forcing all the people of Gaza to flee to Rafah, thereby leveling the entire area similar to the destruction of Gush Katif and Yamit.
Gush Katif was an Israeli settlement within Gaza that was dismantled by Ariel Sharon’s government in 2005 as part of a withdrawal from the territory. Similarly, Yamit was a settlement in Sinai that was bulldozed after the 1982 peace treaty returned the region to Egypt.
Feiglin also expressed his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of destroying Israel and any sense of fear among Muslims around the world. He argued that Netanyahu’s reluctance to invade Gaza had turned Israel into a “banana republic” of the US. Feiglin further stated that Israel should not rely on assistance from the US, as he believed it brought disaster and compromised Israel’s ability to protect itself.
The controversial interview follows another viral video of Feiglin, where he demanded the complete incineration of Gaza, comparing it to the devastation of Dresden, with nothing left standing. Feiglin has a history of advocating for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, having sent a public proposal to Netanyahu in 2014 and again in 2018.
It is important to note that Feiglin’s views are his own and not representative of the entire Israeli government or population. While his statements have drawn attention, they do not reflect the policies or actions of the Israeli leadership.
Moshe Feiglin is a long-time member of the Likud party who challenged Netanyahu for party leadership in 2013, garnering 23% of the vote. He served as a Likud member of the Knesset from 2013 to 2015 before starting his own movement. Feiglin later returned to the Likud party in 2021. His views on Gaza and the Palestinian population have been a subject of controversy throughout his political career.
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