Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians sparks global condemnation

Former US President Donald Trump has proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring countries as part of a strategy to “clean out” the region following recent conflicts.

This controversial suggestion, which Trump described as a way for Palestinians to “live in peace,” has been met with widespread condemnation and rejection from regional allies, human rights advocates, and international legal experts, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Trump outlined his vision aboard Air Force One, suggesting that countries such as Jordan and Egypt could temporarily or permanently host displaced Palestinians. “I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location,” he said, adding, “We just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”

His remarks referenced a potential displacement of over a million people from Gaza, whose population was 2.3 million before the recent war.

Jordan and Egypt, both already housing significant numbers of Palestinian refugees, have firmly opposed any such plan. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reiterated his country’s unwavering stance against the displacement of Palestinians, describing it as a red line. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also warned that forced relocations would destabilize the region and risk breaching the 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

Human rights groups and international law experts have criticized Trump’s proposal, labelling it as tantamount to ethnic cleansing. Hassan Jabareen, director of the Palestinian rights group Adalah, argued that forcibly removing Gaza’s population would constitute a war crime. Similarly, Omer Shatz, a legal expert and International Criminal Court (ICC) counsel, said the plan echoed “dehumanization and genocidal calls” from extremist voices.

While some far-right Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, welcomed the proposal, it was deemed unfeasible and illegal under international law by others. Professor Barak Medina of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem noted that forced displacement contravenes international norms and contradicts the Israeli government’s stated policy of allowing residents to return to Gaza’s north.

Despite criticism, Trump has defended his stance, arguing that such measures are necessary for long-term peace and reconstruction. His administration has also resumed arms shipments to Israel, with Trump justifying the decision by stating, “Because they bought them.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev