Trump's Gaza plans praised by Israel's left and right

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's call to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip has been enthusiastically welcomed by Israeli right-wing figures, and has even sparked support and interest from the left. Trump's proposal has ignited widespread controversy, touching upon the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump stated on Tuesday that Palestinians have no choice but to leave war-torn Gaza and go to a "nice, fresh, and beautiful" place. He also said that after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he believes the United States should own the land in the Gaza Strip and develop it to create jobs, a statement that immediately drew attention from all sides. This proposal highlights the complex geopolitical considerations involved in the region.

Unsurprisingly, Trump's remarks have garnered support and praise from prominent figures on the Israeli right. Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that this is the only solution to the Gaza problem and called on the Prime Minister to announce the adoption of the plan as soon as possible and immediately begin its practical implementation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also stated that he is working with Netanyahu and the cabinet to develop an action plan to ensure that President Trump's vision can be realized. These endorsements underscore the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding the future of Gaza.

However, Trump's suggestion has been condemned by Middle Eastern and Western countries, who believe it violates international law and denounce it as ethnic cleansing. Nevertheless, there is widespread support within Israel for the idea of expelling Palestinians. A survey showed that 82% of Israeli Jews support "encouraging emigration," and even center-left Jews mostly support the proposal, although they believe its implementation is less likely. This widespread support highlights the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Israeli Knesset member Amit Halevi insists that expelling Palestinians and establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza is feasible. He believes that it is entirely achievable to encourage the emigration of Palestinians of childbearing age between 18 and 35 and their children, numbering approximately 400,000. However, Palestinians in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territories firmly state that they will remain on their land, and those who left during the war did so only to escape Israel's war machine. Their determination underscores the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity.

Moshe Klughaft, a top Israeli media advisor, wrote in the right-wing newspaper Israel Hayom that the next election will revolve around promises to expel Palestinians and enlist ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the army. For Halevi, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 was a historic mistake that weakened Israel's security. To regain control of Gaza, Israel needs to "reduce the population and control the territory." This perspective reflects a hardline approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel plans to act in three stages: first, allowing emigration, then encouraging emigration, and finally establishing an international arrangement to receive Palestinians. However, Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab countries have firmly stated that they will refuse to receive any Palestinians expelled from Gaza. Sources from Amman have even stated that Jordan will declare war on Israel if this happens. The potential for regional escalation underscores the sensitivity of the issue.

Opposition leader Benny Gantz stated that Trump has demonstrated his identity as a true friend of Israel and will continue to support Israel on important issues that strengthen its security. Another centrist opposition leader, Yair Lapid, stated that the idea of Gaza becoming the Middle Eastern Riviera and no longer posing a threat is very important. However, Gilad Kariv, a member of the center-left Labor Party, is more cautious, believing that supporting the idea of transfer could be a nightmare for Israel. These varying perspectives highlight the political complexities within Israel regarding the future of Gaza.

Data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics shows that the population of the Gaza Strip has decreased by approximately 160,000 since the start of the war, accounting for approximately 6% of the pre-war total population. The idea of letting Palestinians leave emerged after Israel occupied the Gaza Strip. Former Prime Minister Levi Eshkol led a government plan, and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan was also one of the leaders who tried to resettle Palestinians in the Sinai Peninsula or Transjordan. However, these plans did not materialize and were not discussed again until the outbreak of war. This historical context provides insight into the long-standing debate over the future of Gaza.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Arieli believes that there is currently no reason for Israel to encourage the outflow of the population there. Unlike Gaza, which has been razed to the ground, the West Bank is still habitable, but Israel is trying to change this. Israel is launching offensives in West Bank cities such as Jenin and Tulkarm, displacing 26,000 Palestinians and destroying hundreds of homes and infrastructure. Arieli stated that the far right is pushing for this escalation to make the West Bank uninhabitable as well and encourage the expulsion of Palestinians. These actions raise concerns about the potential for further displacement and conflict.

Halevi stated that sooner or later Israel must find a solution in the West Bank. For him, there is no difference between Ramallah and Gaza. "Encouraging immigration is part of a range of tools that the State of Israel has and should also be used in the region." After Trump made his latest comments, Ben-Gvir said: "In Judea and Samaria, we can also start considering encouraging voluntary emigration," using the Israeli name for the West Bank. This highlights the potential for the expansion of policies aimed at displacing Palestinians from their homes.