Middle East leaders, Palestinians respond to Donald Trump's Gaza plan

Donald Trump's proposal to have the United States control the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a "Middle Eastern Riviera" and resettling Palestinians, has been met with strong opposition from Arab leaders. This significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, announced alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, is seen as undermining decades of efforts towards a "two-state solution" in the region. This proposal is not only controversial but also faces considerable practical and political hurdles.

Jordan and Egypt, both named by Mr. Trump as "safe haven" countries for the over 1.5 million Gazans, have already rejected the idea. King Abdullah II of Jordan is expected to travel to Washington D.C. next week, where this issue will be a key point of discussion. The Jordanian Royal Court released a statement on social media stating: "His Majesty King Abdullah II stressed the need to stop settlement expansion and rejected any attempts to annex land and displace Palestinians." He met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Wednesday, further emphasizing Jordan's stance.

The Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, stated that Trump's proposal "grossly violates international law." The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported: "President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership strongly reject the calls to seize the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinians from their homes." The Palestinian Authority views this proposal as an attempt to undermine their aspirations for statehood and self-determination.

Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the region, has also criticized the policy. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land." The statement further noted: "His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed the Kingdom's position in a 'clear and unequivocal manner' that allows for no interpretation under any circumstances." This stance highlights the widespread regional opposition to the proposed plan.

Hamas senior official Sami Abu Zuhri stated: "What is needed now is to end the (Israeli) occupation and aggression against our people, not to displace them from their land." Gaza residents told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that they are not prepared to go anywhere. One resident said: "If people wanted to leave Gaza, they would have left a long time ago, now they cannot leave, everyone prefers to die in Gaza rather than leave." Another resident said: "We say to Trump, to the Arab governments, to the Arabs before the Israelis, we are steadfast on our land, thank God."

When the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) joined a woman returning to her destroyed home in northern Gaza, she insisted that the Palestinian people should be the only ones who can decide the future. Yasmin Salha asked: "Where is our decision? Where is the UN Security Council? Where is the democracy they are talking about? I want to choose myself, I decide whether I leave or stay." This sentiment reflects the deep-seated desire for self-determination among Palestinians.

Throughout the Middle East, the only support for the proposal appears to come from within Israel. Hardline right-wing politicians, including the controversial former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have welcomed the idea. He even stated that he would rejoin Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition if the idea were implemented, after previously leaving in protest over the recent ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza. This internal Israeli support underscores the divisive nature of the proposal.

The countries President Trump expects to shoulder the burden have vivid memories of previous attempts to resettle Palestinians. Hassan Momani, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC): "Egypt and Jordan consider this a red line – this could be an existential threat to Jordan." He continued by asking: "Let's assume Jordan accepts this – what's next? Accept no Palestinian state? Accept the transfer of the people of the West Bank to Jordan?" In Jordan, over half the population is of Palestinian descent, with many families spread across Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza. They have seen displacement before, such as during the "Nakba" – the conflict following the creation of the state of Israel – and do not want to experience it again.

But President Trump may possess a significant lever to persuade countries like Jordan to acquiesce. He has already shown a willingness to reshape U.S. foreign spending to suit his political goals, and aid to the Middle East could follow suit. For example, Jordan receives $1.7 billion (AUD 2.7 billion) in aid each year. Professor Momani asked: "Is it in the interest of the United States to exert pressure, pressure that could destabilize Jordan? Jordan is a peace maker. Jordan doesn't mind helping Palestinians, but sending Palestinians [there] has political and legal implications, and it will negatively affect the Palestinian people and their rights." The potential for leveraging aid creates a complex dynamic in the region.