Trump Rules Out Right of Return for Palestinians in Gaza under U.S. Plan
President Trump has declared that under his plan for U.S. control of Gaza, Palestinians will not have the right to return to the territory, contradicting other administration officials. He proposes relocating Palestinians to safer communities, prompting criticism from Arab nations concerned about jeopardizing the two-state solution and security for refugees. The president suggests that U.S. financial support will not be directed towards Gaza’s reconstruction.
In a recent interview with FOX News, President Donald Trump stated that under his plan for U.S. control of Gaza, Palestinians would not be granted the right to return. This announcement marks a departure from the narrative presented by several officials in his administration who suggested that the relocation of the population would be temporary. Trump emphasized that he envisions the U.S. taking ownership of Gaza, imagining it as a prime destination akin to the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The President has been urging nearby Arab nations, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, who regard the territory as their national homeland. He expressed intentions to develop safe communities for these individuals, asserting, “We’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is.”
Critics, including Arab nations, have condemned Trump’s proposal amidst fears that it undermines the objective of achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Security concerns were raised by both Egypt and Jordan regarding the influx of refugees into their nations. Following Trump’s initial statements, his administration attempted to clarify that any relocations would be temporary and for interim rebuilding efforts.
While Trump did not dismiss the possibility of deploying U.S. military personnel to secure the territory, he maintained that no American financial resources would be allocated for Gaza’s reconstruction, which casts doubt on the practicality of his proposal.
President Trump’s recent remarks reiterate his stance on the lack of a right to return for Palestinians under his proposed plan for Gaza. By asserting that the U.S. would assume ownership and develop the territory, he has sparked significant criticism from Arab nations and raised questions about the potential impacts on the peace process. There remain concerns regarding security and humanitarian impacts on neighboring countries tasked with accommodating the displaced population.
Original Source: apnews.com