Otzma Yehudit Chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Thursday presented his party's program ahead of the elections, titled "Disengagement 710."
The proposal calls for encouraging voluntary emigration from the Gaza Strip to countries willing to accept Gaza residents. Ben-Gvir said that the establishment of a dedicated government ministry to oversee the initiative would be among his party's main demands in negotiations to join the next coalition.
Otzma Yehudit set several targets under the proposal: approximately 250,000 Gaza residents voluntarily leaving in the first year, approximately 1.11 million within three years, and approximately 1.86 million within seven years.
The party proposes an initial Israeli investment of 10 million shekels to establish and launch the system, alongside a matching framework of up to 50 billion shekels, contingent on international participation and agreements with countries willing to accept emigrants.
Under the proposal, the next government would establish a Ministry for Voluntary Emigration, headed by a minister and provided with a director general, an independent budget, an international negotiation team, and an implementation mechanism. According to the party, Turkey, Ethiopia, Congo, Arab states, and other countries are being examined as possible destinations. Each departure would be contingent on the consent of the destination country and arrangements concerning the emigrant's legal status.
Otzma Yehudit said the proposal was developed following policy work launched after the October 7th Massacre. According to the party, this process included examining international models, legal and economic considerations, and potential absorption arrangements in various countries. The proposed model calls for creating an individual file for each person or family, preserving the family unit wherever possible, and offering tracks based on employment, education, medical treatment, family reunification, and community sponsorship.
The proposal also includes an assistance package covering travel, initial housing, vocational training, employment, and support for up to 24 months. It further calls for individual security screenings, payments to destination countries and absorption organizations based on implementation, and the monthly publication of data on applications, approvals, departures, costs, and absorption in destination countries.
Ben-Gvir linked the proposal to the war and the price paid by Israel. “The blood of our sons and daughters must not, G-d forbid, have been shed in vain. We must seize this historic opportunity to bring about a historic solution," he said.
According to Ben-Gvir, he has called for encouraging emigration from Gaza since the beginning of the war, noting that the proposal was initially regarded as extreme.
Ben-Gvir also criticized the Oslo Accords and linked his proposal to positions advocated by Rehavam “Gandhi" Ze’evi. “What a shame they did not listen to Gandhi, and what a shame that instead we brought the Oslo disaster upon ourselves," he said, adding: “It is time to admit it: Gandhi was right!"
Ben-Gvir said the issue would become a demand in coalition negotiations following the elections. “In the next government, establishing a Ministry of Emigration, headed by a minister and equipped with budgets and authority, will be at the top of our coalition demands. Otzma Yehudit will demand control of this ministry and advance the implementation of encouraged emigration," he declared.
Ben-Gvir concluded the presentation with a slogan his party intends to use to promote the proposal during the election campaign. “Instead of Peace Now illusions, we need Emigration Now action. Instead of digging tunnels, it is time to pack suitcases. Instead of engaging in terrorism, it is time to find work abroad and build a new life," he said.