Senator Sanders Condemns Trump's Gaza Proposal as "Ethnic Cleansing"
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly condemned President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to "clean out" Gaza by relocating its Palestinian population to neighboring countries, characterizing the suggestion as "ethnic cleansing" and a war crime. The Vermont senator denounced Trump's plan, stating emphatically, "There is a name for this — ethnic cleansing — and it's a war crime."
The Controversial Proposal
During a 20-minute question-and-answer session aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed he had spoken with Jordan's King Abdullah II and planned to discuss accepting Palestinian refugees with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. "I'd like Egypt to take people," Trump declared, adding, "You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, 'You know, it's over.'"
International Response
The proposal has met with swift and decisive rejection from multiple quarters, with Egypt, Jordan, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation all issuing statements strongly opposing any displacement of Palestinians from their land.
Jordan, which already hosts 2.3 million Palestinian refugees, has taken a firm stance against the proposal. The country's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, emphasized, "Our rejection of the displacement of Palestinians is firm and will not change. Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians."
Palestinian Reaction and Humanitarian Crisis
The Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah, declared that the suggestion would breach its 'red lines,' while Gaza residents expressed their determination to remain in their homeland. Nafiz Halawa, a Palestinian citizen from Nuseirat in central Gaza, told Al Jazeera, "It's inconceivable for people to accept this. The vulnerable may flee due to their suffering, but the notion of abandoning our homeland... is utterly impossible."
Current Situation in Gaza
The proposal comes amid a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 47,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 111,000 injured since October 7, 2023. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in more than 11,000 people missing and has created one of the worst global humanitarian disasters in recent history.
Legal Implications and International Law
The United Nations has indicated that forced civilian relocation could constitute a war crime or a crime against humanity, depending on the circumstances. The situation has already drawn international legal scrutiny, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
Political Reactions and Analysis
While the Israeli Prime Minister's Office has maintained silence on the proposal, far-right Israeli politicians have welcomed it. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism party, endorsed Trump's characterization of Gaza as a "breeding ground for terror" and is reportedly developing a strategy to implement Trump's vision. Smotrich has been advocating for the "voluntary emigration of Gaza Arabs to countries worldwide" since 2023.
Return Movement Amid Controversy
Despite the ongoing debate about displacement, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are currently making their way back to their damaged homes in northern Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Netzarim Corridor, marking their first return since the conflict began.
Future perspective
The Center for International Policy's Executive Vice President Matt Duss warned that Trump's use of the presidency to advocate for such measures could constitute "a crime against humanity." The Palestinian president's office and the Jordanian government have already rejected the proposal, hoping other countries and American lawmakers will follow suit. International observers emphasize that pushing for forcible population transfer from Gaza could violate international law, including the Rome Statute's prohibition on aiding or abetting crimes against humanity.
This controversial proposal continues to generate intense debate about the future of Gaza's population and the broader implications for regional stability and international law.