Thousands of people, including public figures, ministers and Knesset members, traveled from Yad Mordechai toward the northern Gaza Strip border area on Sunday, calling for victory and settlement in Gaza.
“As defense minister, we will return to Nisanit, to the entire northern perimeter, and to all of Gaza,” Otzma Yehudit chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said at the central rally following the march.
Ben-Gvir recently demanded appointment as defense minister as a precondition for joining a right-wing coalition following the slated October 27 Knesset elections.
"I hope that even before the elections we will reach Nisanit. But if, God forbid, it does not happen before the elections, I hope, with God’s help, to be the defense minister of the State of Israel, to return us to Nisanit, and to the entire northern perimeter, and to all of Gaza! To settle more and more! And not to forget one more thing, because settlement is one leg. There is another leg that is no less important: encouraging emigration now," Ben-Gvir said.
The large-scale protest march, led by the Nahala movement together with additional right-wing organizations, is taking place under the slogan "Choosing victory, settling in Gaza" and is intended to call on the government to advance Jewish settlement in northern Gaza.
The vehicle convoys gathered at the Yad Mordechai Junction at 2 p.m., then began moving toward the northern Gaza Strip and the former Netzarim area.
The organizers said that amid the collapse of various diplomatic initiatives, their message to the prime minister is that a long-term security resolution can only be achieved through civilian presence and holding territory.
Right-wing activists head to Gaza border calling for Jewish settlement
"The picture of victory of this war will only be achieved when we return to all areas of our land and settle the Gaza Strip with Jews," Nahala movement chairwoman Daniella Weiss said.
"Just as Zionist settlement was established through the determination of homa u'migdal ("tower and stockade"), so we are doing today. Thousands are leaving in convoys with caravans and equipment for staying in the field, preparing on the ground and returning Jewish life to Nitsanit and to all of Gaza."
Nahala movement chairman Tzvi Elimelech Sherbaf added that the convoy was there to urge the government to continue to support settlements.
"This gathering and the convoys leaving now from Yad Mordechai are coming to give strength to the government to continue the defense minister's statements about raising Nahal nuclei, and to stop the entry of the international force that again endangers the residents of the South and the State of Israel. Only Jewish settlement will provide security control, victory and the fulfillment of the Zionist vision."
At 4 p.m., a central rally will be held at the northern Gaza Strip observation point with the participation of ministers and public figures. A sukkah compound will operate at the site, along with preparations for an overnight stay near the border, including activities and panels for families.