"Gaza in all likelihood would be only a first step. If such ethnic cleansing ever became acceptable, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem would surely follow. Even the so-called Arab population of Israel..." Kenneth Roth

Trump’s grotesque Gaza proposal is appalling on every level

Kenneth Roth

 

Trump’s proposal to expel all 2 million or more Palestinians from Gaza is so mind-bogglingly outrageous that it seems designed to stun us into paralyzed acquiescence. It is the latest example of the US president’s tendency to normalize the unthinkable, to bring ideas that were rightly considered beyond the pale and force them into the realm of policy discussion. Yet there are plenty of reasons to overcome our shock and reject this appalling scheme.

It does have its supporters. The Israeli far right is salivating at the proposition. It has long sought to “solve” the Palestinian problem by getting rid of the Palestinians. No wonder Benjamin Netanyahu, sitting next to Trump during their White House press conference, could barely contain his glee.

Moreover, Gaza in all likelihood would be only a first step. If such ethnic cleansing ever became acceptable, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem would surely follow. Even the so-called Arab population of Israel might not be exempt. Far from the “Free Palestine” chants that are heard these days on college campuses, the area from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River might become Palestinian-free. That would allow Israel finally to accomplish its goal of being both a Jewish state and a democracy.

Lest we forget, forcibly removing people en masse from their homeland is a war crime and a crime against humanity... READ MORE  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/05/trump-israel-gaza-proposal