The Hawaii of Israel: How Trump legitimised a longstanding Israeli vision

In a second meeting since taking office, United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Gaza Strip, with Trump calling it a valuable piece of real estate. He reiterated his suggestion that Palestinians should relocate to other countries, claiming that many support this idea. Consequently, about 70 percent of Gaza became a restricted area for Palestinians, aligning with Israel’s plan to expand territory as per Trump’s vision.

Over the years, Israel has aimed to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to gain full control of the area. Various strategies, including forced displacement and ethnic cleansing, have been considered to achieve this goal. Trump’s recent statements have given credibility to Israel’s historical aspiration for ethnic cleansing in Gaza, reflecting a departure from internationally recognized principles of Palestinian self-determination.

By endorsing Israel’s plans, Trump has veered away from the traditional US stance on a two-state solution and legitimized illegal land seizures and colonization. His support for ethnic cleansing in Gaza sets a dangerous precedent, potentially enabling Israel to pursue further displacement of Palestinians in the future. This departure from established norms could have lasting implications beyond Trump’s presidency.

In summary, Trump’s alignment with Israeli policies on Gaza represents a departure from longstanding principles and could pave the way for continued ethnic cleansing and land grabs in Palestine. It is essential for other nations to resist normalization of such practices and uphold the rights of Palestinians to self-determination.