There is no realistic way to achieve U.S. President Donald Trump’s far-fetched idea of turning the Gaza Strip into a booming real estate hub. After floating ideas about buying Greenland, influencing Canada, and taking over the Panama Canal, Trump has now set his sights on what is currently one of the most devastated regions in the world.
He has promised to rebuild Gaza, which he described as a “nightmare,” into a thriving destination, potentially featuring a series of luxurious seaside resorts, similar to Mar-a-Lago, along the Mediterranean coast. Ironically, he made this announcement while sitting beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the very leader responsible for the destruction in Gaza over the past year. Unfortunately, no journalist present in the Oval Office dared to question this contradiction.
In addition to “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) and Elon Musk’s “Make Europe Great Again” (MEGA), we now have a version for Palestine: “Make Gaza Great Again.” But how serious is Trump about this proposal? The last U.S. effort to develop Gaza a $320 million floating pier meant to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid—only functioned for a few weeks before being abandoned. It barely made a dent in addressing the overwhelming needs of the Palestinian population.
This time, the funding might be handled differently, perhaps overseen by Musk’s so called “Department of Government Efficiency.” If this project proceeds, it could finally give meaning to President Joe Biden’s constant slogan: “Build Back Better.” However, there is a major issue what happens to the two million Palestinians who currently live in Gaza while this grand reconstruction takes place? Trump has suggested that they cannot remain there while the land is transformed into a massive construction zone.
Ignoring the Reality
Trump seems convinced that neighboring countries will take in the Palestinian population. However, his definition of “neighbors” excludes Israel, the country with the longest border next to Gaza. Instead, he expects Egypt, Jordan and other Arab nations to accommodate displaced Palestinians. Yet, on February 1st, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement firmly rejecting the idea of forced relocation.
Perhaps Trump believes he can persuade them otherwise. If not, he might resort to pressure tactics, such as imposing economic tariffs similar to what he did to force Canada and Mexico into stricter border controls or cutting financial aid. But will this approach work with Arab nations? More importantly would Palestinians in Gaza agree to being forced out?
Recent events suggest they would not. Hundreds of thousands have marched from southern to northern Gaza, determined to return to their homes—whether they are still standing or reduced to rubble. They would rather live on their land, no matter the condition, than consider resettlement. These facts should not be ignored by Trump and Netanyahu.
History has taught Palestinians a hard lesson: if they leave their homeland, they will never be allowed to return. And if the Israeli military—armed with limitless funds and advanced weaponry could not eliminate Hamas after 15 months of intense conflict, no other force is likely to succeed in permanently removing them.
An Unrealistic Plan
For Trump’s vision to become reality, he would need U.S. military forces to forcibly remove the Palestinian population. Is he really willing to kick off his presidency with another costly and disastrous Middle Eastern war? Would he want to further strain the U.S. economy by sending American troops into a conflict that Israel, one of the world’s most powerful militaries, has been unable to win?
A Risky Trade-Off
Over the years, the U.S. has spent hundreds of billions of dollars supporting Israel, funding military operations that have inflicted immense suffering on the Palestinian people. If those resources had instead been allocated to Palestinian families, each household could have been given the means to relocate comfortably anywhere in the world.
However, Trump and Netanyahu fail to understand something crucial: some things cannot be bought. Dignity is one of them. Palestinians are not seeking handouts or luxury accommodations abroad. They demand self-determination, the right to govern themselves in their own independent state, built on their ancestral land which even now is only a fraction of historic Palestine. Their dignity and rights are not up for negotiation.
Another key issue Trump and Netanyahu are overlooking is the instability their plan could cause. Forcing two million Palestinians into Egypt and Jordan—two nations already struggling with economic and political challenges—could lead to the collapse of their governments.
Egypt and Jordan are not just neighboring Arab countries; they are Israel’s primary security partners. Their intelligence and security forces work closely with Israel to prevent attacks and maintain regional stability. If these governments fall apart due to a sudden influx of displaced Palestinians, Israel’s security could be severely compromised.
Are Trump and Netanyahu prepared to risk losing crucial allies in exchange for gaining control over Gaza? The consequences could be far more dangerous than they realize.
