Lapid blasts government’s ‘crazy’ plans for ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza

Speaking at the opening of the weekly Yesh Atid faction meeting, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid criticizes plans to establish a so-called “humanitarian city” in the Gaza Strip, pointing out the many flaws he sees in the government’s vision.

“Will its residents be allowed to leave? If not, how will they be prevented from leaving? Will there be a fence? A regular fence? An electric fence? How many soldiers will guard it?” Lapid queries. “What will the soldiers do if children want to leave the city? Who will feed them? Who will be responsible for water and electricity? What will happen if there are epidemics and diseases? Who will treat them?”

“Most relevant for Israeli citizens: How much will this cost us?” asks the Yesh Atid leader.

He says that the most conservative estimated cost for the project is about NIS 15 billion (around $4.5 billion), while other estimates, including from the IDF, suggest it could cost upward of NIS 20 billion.

“It’s a crazy idea — even by this government’s standards. But we know how they operate: before they admit failure, they’ll spend billions,” he adds.

Turning to more immediate issues, Lapid addresses an upcoming vote to oust Hadash-Ta’al chair Ayman Odeh, over a remark in which he welcomed both the release of the Gaza hostages and of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

“I would have voted in favor of ousting Ayman Odeh, but if the coalition doesn’t bring its members [the Haredim], I won’t show up,” says Lapid.

Shas has said it will vote in favor of his ouster, while United Torah Judaism hasn’t confirmed either way.

If Lapid, and by extension Yesh Atid, is absent from the plenum, the move will likely be rejected by a large margin. Yesh Atid has given its lawmakers free rein to vote as they wish.

For the motion to pass, all of the coalition lawmakers and 22 opposition MKs will need to vote in favor.