Israeli lawmaker rebukes Blinken for rejecting 'voluntary migration' idea

An Israeli MP from the ruling Likud party criticised US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for rejecting plans promoted by some lawmakers calling for a "voluntary migration" of Palestinians out of Gaza, which many warn is euphemism for forced displacement.

Danny Danon, who previously served as the Israeli ambassador to the UN, said he does not understand why Blinken opposes discussion of the idea, according to Haaretz.  

"I will talk about voluntary immigration, why does the American secretary of state say not to talk about it?" Danon said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

He added that a "thousand Gazans left for Canada" last week and were allowed to receive asylum.

Middle East Eye could not independently verify the veracity of the claim. 

"Relations with the Americans are important, but our interests are different from theirs. Americans want to move on and move forward, we can't talk about moving forward. We need to tell the Americans this is our war and our life, and we will decide," Danon said. 

He also expressed concern over the "very disturbing change of direction" by the Israeli army in Gaza amid reports of switching to so-called lower-intensity operations. 

"We will not overpower the enemy with niceness. We are making a mistake, and we should fix it. The IDF (Israeli army) has the possibility to bring results, but the current method of operation takes us away from our goal. I am shouting from the bottom of my heart, we must not do half a job."