At the Gush Katif Conference, former Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan urges reinstating military rule in Gaza, warns against hesitation, slams UN’s “starvation lies,” and announces plans to run for Likud leadership.
YAD BINYAMIN — Former Israeli Ambassador to the UN and ex-minister Gilad Erdan delivered a blunt message at the Gush Katif Conference for National Responsibility: Israel cannot dismantle Hamas without reinstating martial law in Gaza.
Erdan called on the government to force the IDF to apply the same military administration that existed before 1993:
“The cabinet must compel the IDF to enforce martial law, just like we had until 1993. Only then can we realistically move towards restoring Jewish settlement and sending a clear message to the region — that another Nakba awaits the jihadists who attack Israel. This is the only language understood in the Middle East.”
“No Chance of Success Without It”
While expressing strong support for reestablishing Jewish communities in Gush Katif, Erdan stressed that such dreams are meaningless without decisive military control:
“No one wants to see Jewish life return to Gush Katif more than I do. But without an Israeli military administration, there is absolutely no chance of dismantling Hamas’s governing capabilities. I understand the costs — but the alternative is failure.”
Slams UN’s ‘Starvation Blood Libel’
Erdan dismissed Hamas’s “starvation” narrative as a propaganda weapon — one amplified by the United Nations:
“The UN is amplifying Hamas’s lies about starvation. The real tragedy is that even within our government, there’s no full recognition that public diplomacy, branding, and perception are as vital as military strength. Anyone who ignores this is making a grave mistake.”
He revealed that in the past, he proposed a state-funded ‘public diplomacy army’ to the Prime Minister:
“It would require billions of shekels — and it would be worth every cent.”
Political Comeback on the Horizon
When asked about his political future, Erdan made a clear announcement:
“I intend to return to public service soon. After the Netanyahu era, I plan to run for the leadership of the Likud party.”
