Self-Hating: Israel's Attorney General Blocks Plan to Help Gazans Emigrate Abroad

Security officials had been working to set up a website that would allow Gaza residents to apply for voluntary relocation to a third country.

The initiative, led by the Defense Ministry’s “Migration Directorate” headed by Maj. Gen. (res.) Kobi Blitstein, reportedly ran into opposition from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. According to senior sources, Baharav-Miara believes such a move could be considered a breach of international law and has therefore restricted the directorate’s activities.

Supporters of the plan note that the right to emigrate is recognized under international law as a basic human right, and say there are legal experts who back Israel’s and the U.S. administration’s position on encouraging voluntary departure from the Strip. Lawyers and civil society activists connected to Gaza residents say the absence of an accessible communication channel, such as a dedicated website, has hindered those seeking to leave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds weekly meetings on the issue, insisting that voluntary migration is a democratic right and not “transfer.” Human rights organizations, however, argue it amounts to the forced displacement of civilians, which they say constitutes a war crime.

Since the start of the war, roughly 40,000 Gaza residents have left through the crossings, with some flown abroad for medical treatment in countries such as the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, the United States, and various European states.

The Justice Ministry responded, stating: “This is false information.”