In a recent gathering in Jerusalem, hundreds of Israeli settlers advocated for the reconstruction of settlements in Gaza and the northern part of the West Bank.

The convention, organized by the right-wing Nahala organization, was not officially backed by the Israeli government but was attended by several ministers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.

Israel withdrew its military and settlers from Gaza in 2005, following a 38-year occupation. Netanyahu has stated that while Israel does not plan to establish a permanent presence in Gaza again, it will maintain security control indefinitely. However, the country’s long-term intentions remain unclear, with nations like the United States asserting that Palestinians should govern Gaza.

The Nahala organization, which supports Jewish settlement expansion in territories including the West Bank, organized the conference. These settlements are considered illegal by international and humanitarian groups and are often the sites of violent confrontations between settlers and Palestinians.

The conference, named “Settlement Brings Security,” was attended by 12 ministers from Netanyahu’s Likud party, including public security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, both from far-right parties in the governing coalition.

Smotrich expressed his opposition to the government’s previous decision to evacuate Jewish settlements from Gaza, arguing that “without settlements, there is no security.”

Read more at Reuters.