Yesterday(2/4/25), during a joint press conference at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that the United States take control of Gaza and suggested relocating its entire Palestinian population to other countries. His comments have drawn criticism from Arab leaders, international allies, and Palestinian representatives, while some Israeli officials remain skeptical about the feasibility of his proposals.
Trump stated that the U.S. would “own” Gaza and transform it into a developed area, referring to it as the potential “Riviera of the Middle East.” He suggested that the entire Palestinian population of the region should be relocated to other countries willing to accommodate them, claiming this would end the ongoing conflict. However, he provided no specific details on how such a plan would be implemented and did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to support reconstruction efforts.
Arab and Palestinian leaders quickly rejected Trump’s ideas. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, condemned his remarks, calling them “irresponsible” and accusing him of attempting to erase Palestinian identity. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas echoed this sentiment, stating that Palestinians “will not be forced from their land.” Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in discussions about normalizing ties with Israel, also dismissed Trump’s proposal. The Saudi Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its position on supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state and condemned any attempt to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homes.
Israeli officials have reacted with caution. Some have dismissed Trump’s statements as rhetoric rather than a genuine policy initiative. Former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami described the idea as “detached from reality,” pointing out that it disregards the deep-rooted history of the Palestinian people and their connection to the land. Others have suggested that Trump’s remarks could be part of a broader negotiation strategy, floating an extreme proposal to later secure a more modest diplomatic outcome.
This approach mirrors past strategies used by Trump during his first term. In 2020, Netanyahu initially supported annexing parts of the West Bank under Trump’s peace plan but later set the idea aside in exchange for diplomatic agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Some analysts speculate that Trump’s statements on Gaza could serve as a similar tactic, possibly in exchange for progress on Saudi-Israel normalization talks.
Within Israel, Trump’s proposal has gained traction among certain right-wing political factions that advocate for the displacement of Palestinians. A recent poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute showed that a majority of Jewish Israelis support the idea of relocating Palestinians, while Arab citizens of Israel strongly oppose it. Netanyahu, while not explicitly endorsing Trump’s remarks, has used them to reassure his ultranationalist political partners.
The proposal has also drawn international criticism. The United Nations, the European Union, and major global powers such as China and Germany have condemned any plan that involves forced displacement, warning that such actions would violate international law. The British and French governments reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution, insisting that Palestinians have the right to remain in their homeland.
Despite the controversy, Trump’s comments have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. While his vision for Gaza may not materialize, the political ramifications of his statements are already shaping discussions on the region’s future.
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