In a move that has sparked international outrage, Saudi Arabia has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to assume control of Gaza and permanently displace its 2.2 million Palestinian residents.
Riyadh made it clear that it would not consider normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel—a key U.S. foreign policy objective—without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The kingdom also condemned any efforts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland.
Trump’s Bold Proposal Met with Backlash
Trump unveiled his controversial plan during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He suggested that the U.S. should take a “long-term ownership position” over Gaza, relocating its entire population to another country. Trump painted a rosy picture of transforming Gaza into a prosperous region, calling it the potential “Riviera of the Middle East.”
When asked how many Gazans he envisioned being displaced, Trump bluntly responded, “All of them.” This statement marked a drastic departure from the longstanding U.S. commitment to a two-state solution, which advocates for separate, sovereign nations for Israelis and Palestinians. Trump’s proposal disregards decades of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict peacefully.
Strong Regional and Global Reactions
Saudi Arabia’s response was swift and unequivocal. The kingdom’s foreign ministry stated, “We reject any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.” The proposal has also been met with strong resistance from other Arab nations, which have consistently refused to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza in similar past situations.
Hamas leaders vehemently condemned Trump’s proposal, emphasizing that Palestinians in Gaza would never accept forced displacement. “The question isn’t whether Palestinians will accept this proposal. The answer is an immediate and resounding NO,” said a Gazan aid worker, who spoke anonymously due to safety concerns. He added, “The real question is how Trump thinks this could even be implemented.”
International leaders and lawmakers across the political spectrum have also criticized the plan. Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. expressed shock at Trump’s suggestion. Representative Eric Swalwell of California took to social media, saying, “Wait, what? The U.S. is going to occupy Gaza? We were promised no more endless wars.” Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut called the idea “a bad, sick joke.”
Even some Republicans have voiced concerns, questioning the feasibility and ethical implications of such a plan, particularly the potential risk to U.S. troops and Palestinian civilians.
Netanyahu’s Support and the U.S.-Israel Relationship
Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, praised Trump during the press conference, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” Netanyahu highlighted Trump’s past actions, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, and brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Netanyahu expressed confidence in Trump’s leadership, saying, “In your first days of your second term, you’ve already picked up right where you left off.”
A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy?
Trump’s proposal signals a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving away from the two-state solution that has been the cornerstone of American diplomacy in the region for decades. The suggestion of forcibly relocating an entire population raises serious ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns, potentially deepening tensions in the already volatile Middle East.
As the international community reacts, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will gain any traction or if it will be dismissed as another provocative statement from a controversial leader. One thing is clear: the idea of displacing millions of Palestinians from their homeland is unlikely to be accepted by the global community or the people of Gaza themselves.
