Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his desire to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to what he calls “safer places” such as Egypt and Jordan. Speaking on Monday, Trump revealed that he is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington “very soon.”
Trump’s Call for the Ethnic Cleansing of Gaza
On Saturday, Trump proposed the “cleansing” of Gaza, following more than 15 months of brutal Israeli aggression that has devastated the Palestinian enclave and caused unprecedented destruction.
When asked about these remarks, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday evening that he wants to move Palestinians to areas where they can “live without turmoil, revolution, and violence.”
“You know, when you look at Gaza, it has been a hellish place for many years… There has always been violence associated with it,” Trump added.
Trump Aligns with Netanyahu, Ignores Two-State Solution
When questioned about the two-state solution, Trump declined to offer clear support and instead reaffirmed his commitment to Israel, stating that he will meet Netanyahu “in the near future.”
U.S. Pressure on Egypt and Jordan
Trump’s latest comments come after he recently held discussions with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, both of whom have historically rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Speaking about Sisi, Trump said:
“I hope he takes some [Palestinians] in. We have helped them a lot, and I am sure he will help us… As they say, it’s a difficult region, but I think he will do it, and I think King Abdullah will do it too.”
Regional Opposition to Trump’s Proposal
Trump’s renewed push for Palestinian displacement comes just one day before his envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Axios, Witkoff will also travel to Israel to meet Netanyahu and discuss the implementation of a prisoner exchange deal, a ceasefire in Gaza, and negotiations for the next phase of talks.
However, Trump’s forced displacement plan has been met with strong regional and international opposition:
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- Egypt, Jordan, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have firmly rejected Trump’s call for the mass expulsion of Palestinians, instead urging the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
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- The Palestinian Authority condemned Trump’s remarks on Monday, emphasizing that the only solution is a peace agreement based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
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- The United Nations also dismissed Trump’s call for forced displacement, with UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stating:“We are against any plan that leads to the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or any form of ethnic cleansing.”
Ethnic Cleansing Under the Cover of “Peace”
Trump’s insistence on relocating Gaza’s population comes amid Israel’s continued war crimes, including indiscriminate bombing, mass civilian casualties, and deliberate destruction of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure.
Despite widespread global condemnation, Trump remains committed to an agenda that aligns with Israeli expansionist policies, further complicating efforts to achieve a just and lasting resolution for Palestine.
