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After over a year of continuous bombardment, the Gaza Strip remains desolate, having been devastated by Israeli forces and forcing thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge. The recent news of Trump’s ambition to extend U.S. control over Gaza and “reinvent” the “demolition site” has been met with outrage and animosity from much of the international community.
The U.S.’s ongoing role in the Israel-Palestine conflict has been of paramount importance for decades, playing a pivotal role in support of Israel and in historic events such as the Camp David Accords. However, the suggestion of reinventing Gaza contradicts the broader rejection of Western imperialism in the Middle East. Trump’s comments not only highlight a naive understanding of the conflict and its complexities but also reinforce the idea of unchecked U.S. supremacy.
Regarding the Palestinians who would be displaced from Gaza, Trump naively suggested that neighbouring Arab countries, such as Jordan and Egypt, take in Palestinian refugees—something these nations have vehemently rejected due to the economic and social costs.
And what about the Palestinians?
Trump’s remarks seem to completely dehumanise the Palestinian population and disregard their calls to return home. He appears incapable of grasping the deep historical and emotional significance of a homeland, which lies at the heart of the Palestinian struggle. Moreover, many Palestinians do not want their land transformed into a real estate development. But then again, this aligns with Trump’s often transactional and self-serving approach to foreign policy.
Overall, the former U.S. president’s comments not only escalate tensions in the Middle East and among the international community but also perpetuate the dehumanisation of Palestinians while emboldening the Israeli far-right. The idea of extending U.S. control over Gaza—displacing thousands of Palestinians and redeveloping the territory—fits into a broader pattern of Western disregard for Palestinian sovereignty and international law. Beyond being an impractical and provocative suggestion, Trump’s remarks fail to acknowledge the deep-rooted nature of the conflict and the necessity of a long-term solution. While he alluded to a future two-state solution, it appeared distant and abstract.
Standing beside him, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looked gleeful. Following the conference, he posted on X: “Donald, you are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” This not only risks further provocation in the region but also underscores the deepening U.S.-Israel alliance—making the prospect of Palestinians returning home even more unlikely.
Edited by: Veronika Parfjonova
Image: Gaza Map Typography by Chuttersnap, 2020 // Unsplash License
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