Following our report that the Mossad under Major General Roman Gofman will lead implementation of a voluntary emigration program from Gaza, the National Hope movement welcomed the decision and called for another urgent discussion on the matter. This week, Gazans already emigrating through the Kerem Shalom crossing spoke to Channel 14’s Omri Haim, telling him how desperate they are to leave.
Photo: IDF SpokespersonSigal Kraonik, an activist with the movement, said “the security establishment must move from talk to action. The current situation, where emigration plans have no expression on the ground, cannot continue.” She noted that the movement recently published a petition signed by thousands of people aimed at bringing voluntary emigration from Gaza back into public debate and calling on the government to operate the emigration administration effectively.
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Retired Colonel Oren Solomon, a member of the movement, added that “reality has proven we must act decisively to implement plans encouraging voluntary emigration, and this is our commitment to the state’s security. The actions of the National Security Council head constitute an important step in the right direction.”
Talk of voluntary emigration isn’t new, but is gaining renewed momentum. Defense Minister Israel Katz recently spoke to Channel 14 on the issue and said that “the solution in Gaza is only emigration.” In a post COGAT uploaded to its Facebook page, Gazans were asked what they’d prefer, infrastructure improvement or opening crossings for emigration—about 80% of respondents chose the option of leaving for another country.
Sigal Kraonik, widow of Master Sergeant Bari Arik Kraonik and a member of the movement, added that “the security establishment must move from talk to action. The current situation, where emigration plans have no expression on the ground, cannot continue. As was said: ‘Until this moment we don’t know of any prepared policy to absorb Gazans.’ We call on decision-makers to stop settling for discussions and start creating clear and practical policy that will ensure Israel’s security for the long term.”
As we reported, under the direction of National Security Council head Shmuel Ben Ezra, senior political officials held an urgent discussion in recent days with security establishment representatives on the issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip. At the end of the discussion, it was decided that the Mossad, headed by Major General Roman Gofman, is the body that will lead implementation of the plan, while a dedicated budget was approved to advance the initiative.