US President Trump has proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, sparking alarm among Arab leaders and human rights advocates. This idea is part of a long list of Washington’s illusions about settling the conflict in the Middle East.
The Palestinian people have a traumatic history of displacement and partition, making this proposal deeply disturbing. The US government’s suggestion has been met with opposition from most Arab countries, which have rejected any efforts to encourage the transfer or uprooting of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances.
There is no clear national security interest that could justify such a policy, and it would only further erode America’s standing in the world. Israel’s right-wing extremists have been promoting the idea of relocating Palestinians, including some who have advocated for an “operational plan” to carry out the relocation.
The proposal has sparked concern among those who believe it would create a more destabilized environment for both Israelis and their neighbors, while serving as a rallying cry for resistance movements across the region. It remains unclear whether Trump and Netanyahu will make this proposal a priority in their meeting, but experts warn that its implementation would be morally reprehensible and unlikely to achieve any long-term benefits.
The idea of relocating Palestinians is part of a broader problem with US policy in the Middle East, including the notion that Israel can maintain security by treating it with indulgence or that normalizing relations with Arab states will resolve the conflict.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/opinion/israel-trump-netanyahu-gaza.html