The matriarch pushing for an Israeli return to a Palestinian-less Gaza

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'That sounds like ethnic cleansing': Clarissa Ward questions lead figure in Zionist settler movement

07:27

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CNN

A message was sent out the day before on different WhatsApp groups about an opportunity to meet Daniella Weiss, a key figure in the Zionist settler movement. She was holding an informational session on the reestablishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza following the war.

As the evening's host served freshly baked chocolate babka to the 20 guests gathered in her living room in the Karnai Shomron settlement in the West Bank, Weiss was already deep into her presentation.

Her audience needed little convincing. They were true believers with a deep nostalgia for Gush Katif, even if some were too young to remember its existence. The bloc of 21 Israeli settlements was forcibly evacuated by the Israel Defense Forces in 2005 when Israel left the Gaza Strip.

"Register, register. You'll be in Gaza," Weiss said with an intense gaze, the 78-year-old telling her audience she is absolutely convinced it will happen in her lifetime.

Any such land grab from the Palestinians would be illegal under international law, impractical and likely to engender global outrage against Israel.

Daniella Weiss, the 78-year-old godmother of the settler movement, says she is certain Jews will return to live in Gaza in her lifetime.

Scott McWhinnie/CNN

500 families have already signed up to resettle through Weiss' organization Nachala, which means "inheritance." One of Nachala's members mentioned that they were sending a representative to Florida to raise funds. The group already receives support from various US organizations, including Americans for a Safe Israel, despite the Biden administration's stance against settlements in the West Bank.

Among the numerous organizations advocating for the re-establishment of settlements in Gaza, Weiss' Nachala stands out as the most prominent. As a member of the original generation of settlers, she has been at the forefront of the movement for many years.

Weiss portrays herself as a warm and charismatic grandmother, with her hair neatly wrapped and a kind expression on her face as she speaks with unwavering conviction. However, at the heart of her beliefs lies a sense of Jewish exceptionalism, with no willingness to consider a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During Weiss' presentation, a map was displayed on the wall depicting her vision for post-war Gaza. The map showed six nucleus groups claiming settlements across the entire strip, leaving no space for the two million Palestinians who currently reside there. These Palestinians have endured the devastation of their lives, homes, and communities due to the ongoing conflict, which was triggered by Hamas' attack on Israeli citizens last October 7th.

A Jewish audience listens to Weiss urging them to sign up to be the first to re-establish Jewish settlements in Gaza.

Scott McWhinnie/CNN

Weiss was blunt in her wishes for Gaza when CNN interviewed her at her home in the West Bank settlement of  Kedumim, where she was once mayor.

“No Arab, I’m speaking about more than two million Arabs. They will not stay there,” Weiss said. “We Jews will be in Gaza.”

We said that sounded like ethnic cleansing.

Weiss shared her perspective, stating: "The Arabs aim to destroy Israel, which is why some may refer to them as monsters or as engaging in a cleansing of Jews. We are simply responding to their actions towards us."

After the October 7 attacks, Weiss felt a strong urgency to prioritize a return to Gaza. Her once viewed as extreme views in Israel have gained more acceptance following that tragic day.

The flag in held by the soldiers in the destroyed street reads: "Coming home!"

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Israel's far-right is pushing for the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, and their proposals are starting to gain traction.

A recent poll conducted in January by The Jewish People Policy Institute revealed that 26% of Israelis are in favor of rebuilding the Gush Katif settlements post-war. Interestingly, this number rises to 51% among supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government, while only 3% of opposition supporters share the same view.

In Jerusalem, an auditorium was filled with excited crowds for the "Victory of Israel" conference advocating for the resettlement of Gaza. Weiss, along with her settlement neighbor Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, were speakers at the conference.

Israel's Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu forcefully rejected an assertion that it would be illegal, immoral and detrimental to Israel's standing to seize land in Gaza.

Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu also attended the event. During an interview with CNN, Eliyahu expressed his backing for Weiss' post-war Gaza vision, even when faced with strong opposition. Here is a snippet of the conversation:

Minister Amihai Eliyahu believes that the presence of Jewish settlements increases security in the area. While it may not guarantee absolute security, it does contribute to a higher level of security.

Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent, questions the advocacy for settlements that are deemed illegal, immoral, not supported by the majority of Israelis, and damaging to Israel's international reputation.

Minister Amihai Eliyahu questions the morality of taking land from someone who poses a threat to his life. He expresses concern about giving up the land where his ancestors lived to someone who commits violent acts like slaughter, rape, and murder. He wonders what could be more immoral than this.

Netanyahu has described resettling Gaza as "an unrealistic goal", but he has not completely ruled out the possibility. The far-right members of his coalition, whose support is crucial for his political survival, continue to have influence and confidence.

Ofra Goldstein-Gidoni, at a protest against Netanyahu's policies, said it was a minority of Israelis who wanted to go back to Gaza, but they were strong politically.

The opponents of the government are also becoming more vocal. In the most recent of the weekly anti-government protests in central Tel Aviv, thousands once again marched down Kaplan Street, causing traffic disruptions at major intersections as they demonstrated against Netanyahu's coalition.

"I don't believe most people see returning to Gaza as a wise choice," expressed Tel Aviv University professor Ofra Goldstein-Gidoni during an interview with CNN at the protest.

"I feel that although it may be a minority viewpoint, it holds significant political influence. And that's where the challenge lies."

For Weiss and many supporters of the settler movement, what was once a distant fantasy is now a fervent dream.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the growing movement in Israel to re-establish settlements in Gaza, spearheaded by Daniella Weiss, a key figure in the Zionist settler movement. Weiss