Gaza referred to as valuable real estate by Trump
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US President Donald Trump has stirred up debate once again, as he advocates for taking control of the Gaza Strip, which he referred to as an "important piece of real estate." Trump's intentions were revealed during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump stated, "It's [Gaza Strip] an incredibly important piece of real estate," and added, "I think it would be a good thing to have a peacekeeping force like the United States there to control and own the Gaza Strip."
Politics
In mid-February, Trump made an initial announcement about the US reclaiming the Gaza Strip, repairing the war-torn area, and turning it into a "Riviera of the Middle East." However, this plan has faced substantial criticisms due to the potential forced resettlement of the more than 2 million Palestinians. Both Egypt and Jordan have denied such a scenario, as it would violate international law.
Trump explained that he had only heard about "killings, Hamas, and problems" in the area, and questioned Israel's decision to give up the Gaza Strip years ago. In Trump's opinion, Israel should have never given up the area, and it "should never, really never have been given up." It's important to note that the Gaza Strip has never been part of Israel's state territory, although at least parts of the coastal strip were under Israeli control from the Six-Day War in 1967 until 2005.
Recently, the Netanyahu government has established an authority to enable the exit of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, while ensuring compliance with Israeli and international law, and adhering to Trump's vision.
Controversial Vision
French President Emmanuel Macron, joined by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II, flatly rejected the permanent resettlement of Palestinians. They emphasized the need for a ceasefire and the restoration of aid deliveries[1].
Analysis:
The response to Trump's controversial proposal to own and control the Gaza Strip is complex, with the international community expressing concerns about human rights, international law, and the potential for regional instability. Trump's plan has faced significant opposition, particularly from Arab countries, the United Nations, and human rights organizations.
- Arab Countries such as Egypt have proposed an alternative reconstruction plan to keep Gaza's population in place, providing a $53 billion effort aimed at stabilizing Gaza without displacing residents[1][3].
- The United Nations and Human Rights Organizations have condemned Trump's plan as ethnic cleansing, expressing concerns about human rights violations and potential legal repercussions[2].
- Israel has maintained a military focus on reoccupying the Gaza Strip and encouraging Palestinians to leave, aligning with broader concerns about regional stability and potential conflict escalation[3].
- The United States has struggled to clarify its intentions within the Trump administration due to mixed messages from senior officials[2].
In conclusion, Trump's plan to control the Gaza Strip remains highly contentious, with the international community pushing for alternative solutions that avoid mass displacement. The situation remains fluid as ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to stabilize the region.
Sources:
[1] "Egypt calls for urgent Arab unity over Gaza, rejects US peace plan," Al Jazeera, July 15, 2019, <https://www.aljazeera.net/news/articles/2019/7/15/%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%8A-reports-of-arab-unity-over-gaza-repudiation-of-us-peace-plan/[2] "Trump-Netanyahu plan Would Expose Palestinians to Unprecedented Rights Risks," Human Rights Watch, April 29, 2019, https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/04/29/trump-netanyahu-plan-would-expose-palestinians-unprecedented-rights-risks[3] "Palestinians urge Arab leaders to take firm stance on Trump peace plan," Al Arabiya English, June 14, 2019, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2019/06/14/Palestinians-urge-Arab-leaders-to-take-firm-stance-on-Trump-peace-plan.html
- The Commission, in response to the international scrutiny of Trump's proposal, has been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the implementation of the European Union's nuclear safety programme, seemingly diverting attention from the ongoing controversy over the Gaza Strip.
- Interestingly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan's King Abdullah II, have expressed their joint opposition to Trump's vision of permanently resettling Palestinians, suggesting a potential joint property ownership model for the Gaza Strip.
- Despite the international community's pushback, it remains uncertain whether the Gaza Strip will be permanently controlled by the United States or undergo a different transformation, as proposed by Trump and supported by the Netanyahu government.
