International Outcry Against Trump's Gaza Proposal

Thursday 06 February 2025 - 10:08

Numerous countries and organizations expressed strong opposition to Donald Trump's proposal to evacuate Gaza's population and turn it into a U.S.-administered territory as a solution to the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Trump reiterated that Gazans, whose homeland lies in ruins after 15 months of war, could relocate to Jordan or Egypt—countries that have already rejected such an idea. He referred to Gaza as a "demolition site," suggesting it could become the "French Riviera of the Middle East."

Key reactions include:

France: "France fully opposes population relocation," stated the French government spokesperson, Sophie Primas, condemning Trump's remarks as "dangerous to stability and the peace process."
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Palestinians should be able to return home and rebuild Gaza as part of the two-state solution.
Russia: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov highlighted that both Amman and Cairo rejected the proposal and reiterated that the only viable solution is based on two states.
Egypt: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored the importance of accelerating revitalization projects in Gaza without forcing Palestinians to leave, due to their strong attachment to the land.
Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan deemed Trump's declaration unacceptable, asserting that neither Turkey nor the regional countries could tolerate the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
China: A Chinese spokesperson reaffirmed the country's support for Palestinian self-governance, opposing the forced relocation of Gaza's residents.
Palestinian Presidency: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leadership firmly rejected the idea of seizing Gaza or relocating its people.
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its rejection of any actions that violate Palestinian rights, such as colonization, annexation, or forced displacement.
Germany: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and should be part of their future state.
Italy: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated Italy's stance on a two-state solution, offering even military support for Gaza's reunification with the West Bank.
Spain: Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares declared that Gaza is Palestinian land and must remain so, as part of a future Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Hamas: The Palestinian Islamist movement condemned Trump’s remarks, opposing any U.S. occupation of Gaza or displacement of its people.
Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called Trump's proposal "almost incomprehensible," emphasizing that Gaza must remain under Palestinian care.
United Nations: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated that forced displacement from occupied territories is prohibited by international law, underscoring that the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle.