National Unity chairman Benny Gantz on Tuesday expressed opposition to a Palestinian state and said that the biggest mistake of Israel’s disengagement from Gaza was withdrawing from the northern part of the Strip.

Speaking at the Makor Rishon Settlement Conference in Ofra, Gantz said:  “The State of Israel cannot allow a direct and significant threat to its citizens on all its borders. Therefore, we must maintain security control and freedom of action in Gaza, Yehudah and Shomron, southern Lebanon, and the area along the border with Syria.”

“The implication is clear, and anyone who talks about a Palestinian state or withdrawals is simply detached from the security reality.”

“In this context, the disengagement was a move with many problems. But the biggest mistake in my opinion, was the evacuation of the northern communities of Dugit, Nissanit, and Elei Sinai. We should have stayed there to control the area, and we should have stayed there to let the world know that the 1967 lines are irrelevant. This has been my position for many years.

“From the same perception, in one of the first cabinet meetings, I was the one who raised the need to seize territory in Gaza for two reasons: the first – to protect our citizens, and to create a perimeter that separates them from Gaza in the Gaza border area with an emphasis on the northern Strip. And the second, as part of the price that must be exacted from Hamas, at least until its rule is replaced.

“I will say honestly, at this time, I am in favor of full security control, and I believe that returning settlements to the Strip would be a security mistake and would also divide the people at a time when we need unity.

“Israel needs to make a decision that we will not allow any large-scale invasion threat to develop on our border, and we will act offensively if such a threat develops.”

Following Gantz’s speech, at least one politician proved he is “detached from reality.”

Reform Rabbi Labor MK Gilad Kariv responded to Gantz’s statement by saying: “After October 7…the idea of not allowing the possibility of any diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is even more detached from reality.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)