Tel Aviv, Jan. 3 -- Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, dismissed the US State Department's condemnation of his statement for urging Palestinians in Gaza to be resettled outside the strip on Tuesday, The Times of Israel reported.

"I really admire the United States of America but with all due respect, we are not another star in the American flag," Ben Gvir, who heads the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, said in a statement.

He added, "The United States is our best friend but before everything else, we will do what is good for the State of Israel: The emigration of hundreds of thousands from Gaza will allow residents [of the border area] to return home and live in security and protect IDF soldiers."

Earlier, the Un...