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Knesset Bill Seeks to Lift Ban on Israeli Entry into Gaza

Proposed law in Israel to allow Israelis full access to Gaza

A new bill submitted to the Knesset on Monday seeks to repeal the long-standing ban on Israeli citizens entering the Gaza Strip. The proposal, introduced by MK Avichay Buaron (Likud), calls for the removal of the restriction currently enshrined in the Disengagement Law, which prohibits Israelis from entering Gaza.

View of the Philadelphi Corridor between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, on July 15, 2024.
Photo by Oren Cohen/Flash90

In explaining the rationale behind the bill, Buaron stated, "The entry ban is reminiscent of dark periods in Jewish history," emphasizing the need for a shift in policy. He argues that the ongoing conflict with fundamentalist Islam in Gaza must culminate in the loss of the group's control over the region, which he views as a significant blow to their power.

The proposed bill further suggests that one of the first steps the Knesset should take is to remove the "disgraceful stain of a 'zone forbidden to Jews'" from Israel's legal code regarding Gaza. Buaron compares the situation to previous efforts to lift restrictions in northern Samaria, stating that the same principle should apply to Gaza, allowing Israelis the freedom of movement and presence in the area as they would in any part of the Land of Israel.

This proposal follows similar bills that have been introduced in the Knesset in the past by MKs Amit Halevi and Limor Son Har-Melech, further underscoring the ongoing push to change the legal framework surrounding Israeli access to Gaza.

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