President Donald Trump's remarks that the U.S. would “take over” the Gaza Strip—after calling for the resettlement of Palestinians away from the war-torn enclave—drew strong condemnation from several foreign governments, leaders and rights groups.
Trump made the statement during a press conference with Netanyahu at the White House. (Photo by Anna ... [+]
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan rejected Trump’s proposal saying any plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza is “unacceptable” and even considering such a thing is “wrong.”
During the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s daily press briefing on Wednesday, spokesperson Lin Jian said “we oppose the forced displacement and relocation of the population in Gaza and hope that all relevant parties will take the ceasefire...an opportunity to push for a two state solution.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting “any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.”
The statement added that the Saudi government’s position was “unwavering…non-negotiable and not subject to compromises” and said the country’s de facto leader, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, has emphasized that Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an “independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Trump said “we’ll own it” when discussing the future of Gaza, and suggested the U.S. could dispose of active bombs still in the area, “level the site” and “create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing” for “the people of the area,” but it is unclear what people he was referring to.
The president also said Gaza should “not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people,” suggesting Palestinians from Gaza should be relocated to other countries.
The president, who made the comments at a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, added the U.S. would take up a “long-term ownership position” of Gaza, though he did not answer a question about what legal standing would allow the U.S. to take over the region.
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Trump’s comments came just a few hours after he told reporters at the White House that Palestinians should be resettled in Jordan, Egypt or other countries and referred to Gaza as a “demolition site” (Jordan and Egypt have rejected the idea of Palestinian resettlement from Gaza). Trump did not provide finer details about his proposed “economic development” in Gaza and did not clarify who would benefit from the “unlimited numbers of jobs” he claimed it will produce.
“I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable,” Trump said of the region’s future, calling it the “riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump did not rule out sending American troops to Gaza when asked about the possibility. “If it’s necessary, we’ll do that—we’re going to take over,” he said.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior advisor, said last year during the conflict in Gaza that the area’s waterfront property “could be very valuable, if people would focus on building up livelihoods.”
Trump said Gaza “is not a place for people to be living” and referenced the widespread destruction in the region without directly addressing Israel’s military campaign there. The president has proposed Palestinian resettlement in nearby countries, though Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have resisted plans to move refugees out of Gaza. The five countries have instead pushed for a two-state solution including the establishment of a Palestinian state. In addition to Gaza, Trump has proposed making places such as Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada a part of the U.S.
Trump Calls Gaza ‘Demolition Site,’ Proposes Resettling Palestinians In Meeting With Netanyahu (Forbes)
Israel Government Approves Gaza Ceasefire And Hostage Deal (Forbes)