Almost 2 million Gazans in 7 years: Ben Gvir's disengagement plan

Otzma Yehudit chairman and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir presented the "Disengagement 710" plan, which aims to promote the voluntary emigration of Gaza Strip residents to countries that agree to accept them. According to the plan, the goal is the departure of about 250,000 residents in the first year, 1.11 million within three years, and about 1.86 million within seven years.

The plan includes the establishment of a dedicated government office for voluntary emigration, headed by a minister and operating through a director-general, an independent budget, an international negotiation team, and an implementation apparatus. As part of the staff work, Turkey, Ethiopia, Congo, and Arab countries are being examined as possible destinations, alongside other countries.

According to the plan's principles, the departure will be voluntary only, and only after a destination country has agreed to the reception and the legal status of the migrants has been settled. For every individual or family, a personal file will be built including a destination, documents, visas, and an integration plan, with a preference for families leaving together.

The plan offers migration routes for work, study, medical care, family reunification, and community sponsorship. The integration package is intended to include assistance with travel, initial housing, professional training, employment, and support for up to 24 months. In addition, it includes individual security checks and the publication of monthly data on requests, approvals, departures, costs, and reception volumes.

Otzma Yehudit proposes an initial Israeli investment of 10 billion shekels to establish and launch the system, alongside an Israeli adjustment framework of up to 50 billion shekels, subject to international participation and agreements with the receiving countries.

Ben Gvir said that in the next government, the establishment of an immigration ministry, with a minister, budgets, and powers, will be at the top of his party's coalition demands:

"I am announcing here – in the next government, the establishment of an immigration ministry, with a minister at its head, budgets, and powers, will be at the top of our coalition demands. Otzma Yehudit will demand this ministry for itself and will promote the implementation of encouraging emigration."