Israel Katz Clarifies: 'Never Leaving' Gaza Was Not a Metaphor
Israel Katz, in an interview cited by The New Arab, has reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to building settlements in Gaza and to Israel never leaving. This isn't groundbreaking news; rather, it’s a direct echo of statements from prior Israeli governments and a consistent policy goal. For instance, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in 1998, a few years before his 'disengagement' plan, that
Israel's settlement project was 'unstoppable.' They've been saying 'never leave' since 1967, only for the 'withdrawal' from Gaza in 2005 to transform it into the world's largest open-air prison, still under Israeli control. While this 'plan' garners condemnation from international bodies, Washington remains steadfast in its support for Netanyahu's government. This unwavering loyalty isn't
abstract: consider that in Q1 2024, AIPAC spent over $10 million on lobbying, influencing key votes that enable such declarations to become grim reality. It appears 'international law' is merely a suggestion when billions in aid keep flowing and politicians routinely choose lobbyist dollars over human lives. One might wonder, how many times must a colonization project be explicitly stated before
the enablers in Washington decide it's more than just 'self-defense'?