Trump’s proposal to deport Palestinians and turn the Gaza Strip into a resort is not just a delusional fantasy, but a dangerous precedent that could lead to new waves of violence and suffering.
The General Opinion of Americans
The recklessness and absurdity of the foreign policy foundations of the newly self-proclaimed “peacemaker” Trump are increasingly met with rejection and disapproval by the majority of the American people. In this regard, the article published by Julian McBride on Trump’s so-called new Middle East policy is particularly telling. McBride, a former U.S. Marine, forensic anthropologist, and independent journalist, commands respect. He is the founder of the Reflections of War Initiative (ROW), an organization that shares the stories of war victims through art therapy, and an editor at 19FortyFive. In other words, he is the “salt of the Earth” of America, an integral part of the American people, and his views are shared by many Americans. As is known, the phrase “salt of the Earth” refers to people who are valuable to society or groups that make useful or essential contributions, benefiting both individuals and the community as a whole.
In his article, Julian McBride writes that, as an American, he bitterly observes how the Trump administration continues to dismantle the remnants of the United States’ moral authority on the global stage. Trump’s proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan, Egypt, and other countries is not just a reckless move but a “direct path to a humanitarian catastrophe and further destabilization of the region.” This plan, cloaked in hypocritical rhetoric about “sharing the burden of war,” is in fact a veiled attempt at ethnic cleansing supported by Israel.
Trump, known for his radical and often absurd statements, has once again demonstrated that his policies are built on principles far removed from humanism and international law. His proposal to deport Palestinians and turn the Gaza Strip into a resort is not just a delusional fantasy but a dangerous precedent that could lead to new waves of violence and suffering.
The Palestinian people, like any other, have an inalienable right to their land, culture, and self-determination. The Gaza Strip is not just a territory; it is home to millions of people whose families have lived there for generations. Trump’s proposal for the mass deportation of Palestinians, as Julian McBride emphasizes, is not only a violation of international law but also a direct assault on the fundamental principles of human morality. No one has the right to deprive a people of their homeland, and any attempt to do so must be condemned by the international community.
The idea of turning the Gaza Strip into a resort where wealthy tourists can vacation while Palestinians are expelled from their homes and forced to live in misery on foreign soil sounds like a cynical parody of justice. This proposal ignores not only the historical connection of Palestinians to this land but also their right to a dignified life. Instead of seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, Trump is proposing a radical and inhumane scenario that will only exacerbate human suffering. The unveiling of this shameful and criminal plan raises doubts about other ideas and plans of the ever-erratic and indecisive U.S. president.
The Reaction of the International Community: Condemnation and Protests
Trump’s proposals, understandably, have drawn sharp criticism from many countries and international organizations, notes Julian McBride. Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states have rejected these plans as unacceptable and a violation of the rights of the Palestinian people. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has repeatedly emphasized that Egypt supports the right of Palestinians to establish their own state and opposes any plans that threaten their rights. In his speeches, he has stressed that any resolution to the Palestinian issue must take into account the interests of the Palestinian people and be framed within international law. The Egyptian president’s spokesperson stated that el-Sisi has officially rejected “proposals to resettle the Palestinian people to avoid the elimination of the Palestinian issue and to prevent threats to the national security of countries in the region.” He also emphasized the need to implement ceasefire agreements, including the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Jordan, as a country hosting a large number of Palestinian refugees, has also rejected Trump’s insane plans. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has expressed his commitment to the Palestinian cause, stating that the Kingdom will continue to defend the rights of Palestinians and oppose any attempts at annexation or changes to the status of occupied territories. Later, during a meeting with Trump, King Abdullah II stated that he reaffirmed Jordan’s “unchanging position” regarding the resettlement of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as in the occupied West Bank, which borders his country.
“This is a unified Arab position,” he wrote on Twitter/X. “The reconstruction of Gaza without the expulsion of Palestinians and the resolution of the acute humanitarian crisis must be a priority for all.”
These statements, along with the speeches of many Arab leaders, underscore, as Julian McBride notes, that the Arab world is not prepared to tolerate the injustice and violence proposed by Trump, who understands little about the complexities of the region.
Donald Trump’s ideas of expelling Palestinians and creating a resort in Gaza are not just delusional fantasies but dangerous proposals that ignore the fundamental principles of international law and human morality. No people should be deprived of their homeland, and no state should encourage ethnic cleansing and violence. The international community must condemn—and is already sharply condemning—such absurd ideas and focus its efforts on finding a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that takes into account the rights and interests of all parties.
By proposing his “solutions,” Trump not only demonstrates contempt for the Palestinian people but also becomes complicit in the crimes committed against them. History will not forgive those who attempt to deprive people of their homes, their land, and their future. In this case, the policies of Trump, the president of the so-called democratic United States, are not just a mistake but a crime against humanity that must be stopped to prevent him from gaining other reckless followers.
Who Will Pay for This Adventure?
Trump’s plan is not only disastrous for Palestinians and the region, as the American author notes, but also extremely costly for American taxpayers. Housing millions of refugees, building camps, schools, and hospitals will require tens of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, the Arab League has already rejected this plan, meaning the primary financial burden will fall on the United States.
Moreover, potential armed conflicts and uprisings in the region may necessitate an increased U.S. military presence, which will provoke sharp disapproval from the American public.
“As an American, I am deeply disappointed by my country’s foreign policy, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue,” Julian McBride writes openly and directly. The Trump administration, instead of seeking paths to peace and justice, continues to support Israel’s aggressive policies, ignoring the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. This plan will not only exacerbate the suffering of millions but also cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the United States on the global stage.
Victor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Expert on Middle Eastern Countries.
