France condemns Israeli officials' remarks pushing for displacement of Gazan population

Paris also opposes reestablishment of illegal Jewish settlements in besieged enclave, says Foreign Ministry statement

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – France on Wednesday condemned remarks by Israeli officials pushing for the displacement of Gaza’s Palestinian population.

“France condemns the remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bazalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, calling for the emigration of the Gazan population as well as the re-establishment of (Jewish) colonies and occupation of the land (Gaza),” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Urging Israel to refrain from such provocative remarks, saying they only serve to fuel tensions, the statement said any forced population transfer would constitute a serious violation of international law according to the Geneva Convention and Rome Statute.

“It is not up to Israeli government to decide where Palestinians should live. The future of the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants will lie in a unified Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel,” it added.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border raid by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

In the nearly three months since, at least 22,313 Palestinians have since been killed and 57,296 others injured, according to Gaza health authorities

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