Arab American and Muslim Leaders Condemn Trump’s Gaza Takeover Proposal
Arab American and Muslim leaders in the U.S., including former supporters of President Donald Trump, have sharply criticized his proposal for the U.S. to assume control of Gaza and resettle Palestinians, calling the plan "unacceptable" and counterproductive to lasting peace.
The backlash emerged on February 5, 2025, after Trump outlined his vision during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he suggested relocating Gaza’s 1.8 million Palestinians to other countries and transforming the territory into a U.S.-managed "Riviera of the Middle East." Leaders argue the proposal violates international law, risks destabilizing the region, and alienates a critical voter bloc that helped secure Trump’s 2024 election victory.
Reactions From Key Leaders and Organizations
"We Oppose Any Relocation": Arab Americans for Peace Rebrands Amid Outcry
Bishara Bahbah, founder of the newly renamed Arab Americans for Peace (formerly Arab Americans for Trump), condemned the proposal, stating, “We oppose any relocation of Palestinians, whether voluntary or forced, from their homeland.” Bahbah, who played a pivotal role in mobilizing Arab American voters for Trump in swing states like Michigan, acknowledged the political fallout but reiterated his support for the president as a “lesser evil” compared to alternatives. His organization’s rebranding reflects growing discontent within Trump’s base, particularly among Arab Americans who constitute 5% of Michigan’s electorate and helped tip the state in his favor.
Abed Ayoub, executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, labeled Trump’s remarks “insane” and warned they risked normalizing ethnic cleansing. “This is not just rhetoric—it’s a dangerous escalation that could ignite regional chaos,” Ayoub told Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Executive Director Nihad Awad emphasized Gaza’s status as Palestinian land, asserting that forced displacement would constitute “a crime against humanity.”
Political Implications: A Fragile Coalition Tested
Michigan’s Swing State Dilemma
Trump’s comments have exposed tensions within his coalition. While some supporters, like Muslims for Trump co-founder Sahloul Iqbalu, defended their backing (“Trump remains preferable to Biden’s arms shipments to Israel”), others expressed regret. Dearborn-based publisher Amer Zahr noted, “This isn’t just about Gaza—it’s about whether our community’s votes were taken for granted.” Analysts warn the backlash could weaken Trump’s standing in Michigan, where Arab Americans and Muslims make up nearly 4% of the population and were pivotal in his 2024 win.
Notably, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, sought to downplay the proposal, telling CNN the administration remains committed to the ceasefire’s “humanitarian phases.” However, bipartisan criticism mounted: Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called the plan “delusional,” while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson praised it as “bold action for stability.”
Historical Context: Gaza’s Decades-Long Struggle
From Blockade to Biden-Trump Policy Shifts
Gaza has endured a 17-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade, with its humanitarian crisis deepening after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and triggered a 15-month Israeli military campaign. Over 36,170 Palestinians have died in the conflict, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, and 1.9 million remain displaced. Trump’s proposal echoes past U.S. administrations’ failed peace efforts but marks the first explicit call for mass resettlement. The Biden administration had conditioned military aid to Israel on minimizing civilian harm, but Trump reversed this policy upon taking office in 2025. His alignment with Netanyahu—who smiled during Trump’s Gaza remarks—contrasts sharply with Saudi Arabia’s rejection of normalization without Palestinian statehood, a cornerstone of the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Condemnation and Legal Concerns
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its “non-negotiable” stance on Palestinian statehood, while France labeled Trump’s plan “a violation of international norms.” UN experts warned that displacing Gazans could meet the legal definition of ethnic cleansing, citing Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri called the proposal “a recipe for chaos,” and Yemen’s Houthi rebels denounced it as “American arrogance.”Even within Trump’s circle, skepticism persists. A Middle East source described the plan to CNN as “mad,” noting Arab allies’ reliance on U.S. diplomacy to counter Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi predicted the Gaza war would extend into 2025, complicating Trump’s vision.
Ceasefire Uncertainties and Electoral Reckoning
Will Gaza Define Trump’s Second Term?
The White House has yet to clarify how it would implement Trump’s proposal, which lacks legal precedent and faces logistical hurdles. With the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire entering its third week, mediators from Qatar and Egypt are racing to secure the release of remaining hostages. However, Trump’s rhetoric threatens to derail negotiations, according to a senior Hamas official interviewed by Reuters. Domestically, Arab American leaders are urging grassroots mobilization. “This is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Yahya Basha, a Michigan-based physician and Trump supporter. “We must hold both parties accountable.” As the 2026 midterms approach, analysts warn the GOP’s embrace of Trump’s Gaza stance could alienate suburban voters and deepen divides in battleground states.