As rights activists warned earlier about a US-Israel partnership to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, what is now unfolding has intensified, as the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump has given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hope by suggesting taking ownership of the Gaza Strip and displacing Gazans to neighbouring countries permanently.
As Trump called for ethnically cleansing Gaza and for the United States to own the territory, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House on Tuesday evening, condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit and urging the Trump administration to halt arms supplies to Israel while chanting that Palestine is not for sale.
The announcement, made during a meeting with Netanyahu, drew widespread condemnation from global leaders, human rights organisations, and protesters, including US allies, with Saudi Arabia making it clear that an independent Palestinian state is a prerequisite for normalising diplomatic ties with Israel.
Trump, who has previously suggested expansionist ideas regarding other territories, described Gaza as a region that requires significant reconstruction, proposing a vision in which the US would transform the war-ravaged area into a developed and prosperous location.
He suggested that Palestinians currently living in Gaza should permanently relocate to neighbouring Arab states, arguing that such a move would bring stability to the region. However, he did not provide specific details regarding the logistics of the resettlement or how such a move would align with international law and existing geopolitical tensions.
The proposal has been met with widespread backlash, as the forced displacement of an entire population is considered a violation of international law and has been historically condemned by the international community.
Human rights advocates have warned that such a policy could amount to ethnic cleansing, raising concerns about the implications of Trump’s remarks. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, protests erupted outside the White House, with demonstrators condemning what they viewed as an imperialist and colonial approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s announcement has also prompted reactions from international leaders, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirming his government’s commitment to a two-state solution. In a press briefing, Albanese clarified that Australia’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unchanged, highlighting the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state as part of a lasting peace settlement.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm and unwavering support for Palestinian statehood, linking any potential diplomatic normalisation with Israel to the fulfilment of Palestinian sovereignty. The Saudi government’s position aligns with its long-standing policy of advocating for Palestinian self-determination as a prerequisite for regional stability.
The ceasefire agreement, implemented in January, is set to continue through early March as part of efforts to pause hostilities following months of intense warfare that began in October 2023. The ceasefire negotiations have been fraught with challenges, with both sides expressing grievances over ongoing tensions and unresolved disputes.
Beyond the political ramifications, the humanitarian implications of Trump’s plan have also been widely discussed. With over two million Palestinians residing in Gaza, the feasibility of mass displacement remains a contentious issue, as regional nations have shown little inclination to accommodate such an influx of refugees.
Jordan and Egypt, two neighbouring countries with significant Palestinian populations, have previously resisted proposals that suggest relocating Gazans, citing concerns over demographic shifts and regional stability. Critics have argued that Trump’s plan fails to consider the lived realities of Palestinian communities, disregarding their historical ties to the land and their right to self-determination.
In Washington, the domestic response to Trump’s remarks has been mixed, with political analysts and lawmakers debating the implications of his statements. Some have characterised his announcement as a calculated move to align with right-wing pro-Israel constituencies ahead of the upcoming US elections, while others have dismissed it as impractical rhetoric lacking legal or logistical grounding.
Amidst the global reactions, Palestinian officials and resistance groups have strongly condemned Trump’s vision, rejecting any suggestion that Gaza’s residents should be permanently displaced. Hamas representatives described the proposal as an extension of colonialist policies, asserting that any attempt to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland would be met with fierce resistance.
Netanyahu, standing alongside Trump, expressed support for the idea, describing it as a significant shift in conventional thinking that could potentially reshape history. He acknowledged that the plan could face resistance but praised Trump’s willingness to approach the matter with what he described as fresh ideas.