Protesters gathered in Sderot on Tuesday for the “Gaza March,” a march supporting widespread Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.
Among many organizations affiliated with the event were the settlement movement Nachala, Torat Lechima – an organization that works to increase the Jewish nature of the IDF – and the Homesh yeshiva.
Thousands participated, according to organizers, who said that the march would be followed by a rally for “coming home,” where family members of hostages were set to speak.
MKs join in on the settlement calls
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addressed the people at the rally, telling them that their attendance was the “real solution” to the ongoing war.
“We can sit in the cabinet and press for action in Rafah, not compromise on ending the war, and demand countermeasures, but in order to actually end the problem once and for all, we need two things: one – return Israelis to Gaza now! Return home! Return to our holy land! And two – encourage emigration. We need to encourage the voluntary departure of the current residents of Gaza.
“This is the Torah and this is the only way! And yes, it is also humanitarian,” he said.
He also spoke of being ashamed to be the only cabinet member to vote against the transfer of humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
MK Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist Party told the attendees that “whoever expelled the Jews of Gush Katif is directly responsible, with his own hands, for the terrible massacre of October 7.”
United Torah Judaism Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf also supported the march, calling for Israelis to join it. “This march embodies what God said to Abraham our forefather,” said Goldknopf, citing a bible verse about God giving the land to Abraham’s descendants.
Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech is also set to speak at the rally, said the organizers.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.