Israelis consider leaving country as far-right readies for power, a luxury few Palestinians have

The primary concern is over statements made by religious politicians on the role of religion in the Israeli state, though Palestinians fear more deadly assaults on their lives and freedoms.
2 min read
12 December, 2022
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to return as Israeli prime minister at the helm of a far-right coalition [Mateusz Wlodarczyk/NurPhoto/Getty-archive]

Israelis are being urged to leave the country and live elsewhere as a far-right coalition led by a returning Benjamin Netanyahu is set to take power and implement Jewish law, according to local media.

Netanyahu's incoming government is expected to feature extremist politicians like Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the Jewish Power party, who is set to become national security minister.

Israelis primarily fear the implementation of Jewish law and other changes pledged by far-right politicians who will be given leading positions in power.

Palestinians fear a violent wave of terror by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, with few having the same freedom of movement or resources as Israelis to escape abroad.

"Hi guys, we decided to organize this group as an answer to what is happening in the country: a change in regimes, the nature of the country changing for the worse and just the fact that life is not the same as it used to be," read a daily message to many online groups, according to The Jerusalem Post.

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There are just a few individuals in charge of the different groups calling for Israelis to move abroad, according to the report, with an aim of 10,000 in the first wave.

The first Zoom meeting of those involved in the emigration effort will take place on Thursday.

While Netanyahu is widely expected to return as prime minister, he has yet to secure an agreement with his allies.

On Friday, the Likud party leader was given 10 more days to form a coalition, ahead of his mandate expiring on Sunday.

In addition to Ben-Gvir, who has been described as a "disciple" of extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, fellow Religious Zionism bloc leader Bezalel Smotrich is set to take a ministerial role in Netanyahu's government.

It was reported last week that Smotrich had said as finance minister he will delve deep into the inner workings of the economy, adding that the Torah teaches that obeying God brings prosperity.

Ben Gvir was convicted of inciting racism after carrying an "expel the Arab enemy" placard in 2007.

The politician has also hailed the killing of an unarmed Palestinian by Israeli forces.

Reuters contributed to this report.