Trump’s Vision for Relocation

During his remarks, Trump recounted a conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and indicated plans to engage with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. “I’d like Egypt to take people. You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over,'” Trump stated, suggesting that evacuating the Gaza Strip could bring a semblance of peace to the area.

Trump acknowledged the ongoing plight of Palestinian refugees, specifically praising Jordan for its historical role as a host nation. He urged King Abdullah to consider increasing the influx of refugees from Gaza, noting, “Look at the Gaza Strip—it’s a real mess, and we need to fix this.”

Criticism of Trump’s Proposal

Trump’s remarks ignited criticism from various quarters, with opponents arguing that large-scale displacement would sever Palestinians’ deep-rooted connections to Gaza. Former U.S. Representative Justin Amash, who is of Palestinian descent, challenged Trump’s narrative, asserting that Palestinians trace their origins to towns and villages within the present-day territories of Israel and Palestine. Amash emphasized the historical connections of the Palestinian people, asserting, “They are descendants of Canaanites, Israelites, Phoenicians, and other ancient Levantine peoples. Forcing them out would amount