Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter has reignited controversy by proposing the mass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Libya, claiming the move would “clear the land” and offer economic benefits to the host country.
In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Dichter argued that Libya’s geographic and linguistic similarities to Gaza make it a suitable destination for resettlement. “It’s a large country with vast open spaces and a coastline much like Gaza’s,” he said. “The language is familiar, and integration would be relatively easy.”
Dichter called on the international community to invest “a few good billions” to rehabilitate Gaza’s population in Libya, suggesting that 1.5 million Palestinian refugees could contribute to the country’s economic recovery. He likened the proposal to the displacement of Syrian refugees, claiming that many Gazans are eager to leave and start anew. “The desire to build a life outside Gaza is overwhelming,” he said. “You see it clearly on social media, people know there’s nothing left to return to.”
The remarks have provoked condemnation from Libyan and Palestinian activists, legal experts, and human rights groups, who view the proposal as a violation of international law and a form of forced displacement. Critics argue that such plans echo colonial-era population transfers and risk deepening instability in already fragile regions.
Sources cited by Axios revealed that the Israeli government has approached several countries, including Libya, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, to explore resettlement options, offering financial and political incentives. While no formal agreements have been reached, the idea has reportedly received “initial openness” from some governments.
The U.S. embassy in Libya has dismissed the reports as “false and inflammatory,” following a visit by presidential adviser Masad Boulos. Washington has denied any involvement in relocation schemes, despite persistent speculation in Israeli and American media.
Observers warn that Dichter’s comments reflect a broader strategy within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to depopulate Gaza under the guise of humanitarian resettlement. Legal scholars have described the proposal as a potential war crime, especially given the coercive conditions facing Palestinians amid ongoing military operations
