Minister Gila Gamliel sees the application of sovereignty first and foremost as a manifestation of the Jewish people’s historic right to the Land of Israel. Political threats and fear tactics? Gamliel has a clear, structured plan — including, incidentally, a broad program for voluntary Arab emigration.
The interview first appeared in Issue 19 of Ribonut (Sovereignty).
“Beyond the fact that sovereignty has always been important, we now have a golden opportunity to apply it — with a strong leader like Netanyahu in Israel and Trump as President in the U.S. We must not miss this opportunity. We need to act quickly to realize it,” says Minister of Science and Technology and Cabinet member, Gila Gamliel.
She describes the recent statements by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, about the connection between the Jewish people and their land — and the Jewish right to Judea and Samaria — as a “dream come true.” And to those concerned about the world’s reaction, she reminds them of something fundamental: “Justice is on our side. The Land of Israel is the inheritance of our forefathers and foremothers. This is a message we should have promoted internationally a long time ago. We need to speak this truth without apologizing.”
Gamliel ties these fundamental beliefs to the painful but vital lessons of the October 7 massacre: “It became clear just how critical it is for our survival that Judea and Samaria be preserved and made an inseparable part of the State of Israel — including in an official, legal sense. This understanding must also be brought into the international discourse.”
Will the world accept this position? “There will likely be some initial resistance from certain countries,” Gamliel acknowledges, but she is quick to clarify her worldview: Israel must place greater emphasis on its relationships with countries beyond Europe, particularly in other global regions.
She recalls that in the past, she submitted a strategic plan to shift Israel’s focus toward the Indo-Pacific region, which includes 65% of the world’s population — notably India, along with Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and others.
“We can and should collaborate with them in science, high-tech, technology, research, and more. We have a lot to offer in areas that greatly interest them. We need to shift away from the old mindset that locked us into Europe — which has only restricted us.”
This shift is all the more relevant now, in light of changes unfolding in Europe: “Europe is becoming increasingly complex, even within itself, and is losing its identity,” the minister remarks.
On the Cost of Sovereignty: “Do It Step-by-Step with U.S. Coordination”
As for the potential diplomatic costs Israel might face from a sovereignty move, Gamliel believes the panic is overblown: “If we coordinate with the U.S. Ambassador and advance the process step by step, together with the American administration — at this stage with the Republicans — others will eventually come to accept it, once sovereignty becomes a fait accompli, just like it did in the Golan Heights and in Jerusalem.”
Voluntary Arab Emigration – Not Just for Gaza: A Win-Win
On the demographic challenge, Gamliel refers to a plan she personally developed at the onset of the "Iron Swords" war: “Back then, I spoke about voluntary emigration of Arabs from Gaza, and I developed international legal and logistical plans to support it. I believe these plans could also be considered for Judea and Samaria in the future.”
“Voluntary emigration of Arabs is the only plan that can provide a security solution and ensure that residents of Gaza no longer pose a threat to Israeli civilians — and we should make it possible. Gaza has no economic future and is completely devastated. Its residents will become dependent on aid. Allowing them to relocate to other countries would be a win-win for everyone.”
Gamliel believes that once the emigration model succeeds in Gaza, and the benefits to Gaza’s Arabs become clear, it will generate momentum among Palestinian Arabs in Judea and Samaria as well: “They too lack real economic prospects. They too will likely seek to relocate to countries that offer them a better future.”
On Netanyahu and the Sovereignty
Vision Regarding the ambiguity surrounding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stance on sovereignty, Gamliel says: “I believe he supports sovereignty and will guide the process in line with what can be coordinated with the U.S. administration.
What’s important now is that we present a united front, clearly stating that sovereignty must be advanced — here and now.”
She adds: “This move would send a clear message to the Palestinians Arabs of an Israeli victory. Just as a Palestinian state would represent a devastating loss for Israel — a goal that was clearly at the heart of the October 7 massacre — the application of sovereignty would be the ultimate proof that Israel prevailed.”