President Trump proposed cutting off aid to Jordan and Egypt unless they accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza. During a press conference, he warned that all hell would break loose if Hamas does not return hostages. Trump’s controversial plan includes resettling Palestinians while revamping Gaza. Both Jordan and Egypt have rejected the mass resettlement idea, prompting significant criticism regarding the potential for ethnic cleansing. Trump insists that Palestinians would welcome relocation to a safer area.
On Monday evening, President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to consider cutting off financial aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza. This statement was made during a press conference at the Oval Office, where he issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas regarding the return of hostages, warning that “all hell will break loose” if they are not released by a specified deadline.
President Trump reiterated a controversial proposal suggesting the resettlement of Palestinians in adjacent countries, particularly Jordan and Egypt. He stated his ambition to transform Gaza into an appealing area likened to the “Riviera of the Middle East,” a concept he previously discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When pressed about withholding aid, Trump responded affirmatively, stating, “Yeah, maybe, sure why not?” if Jordan and Egypt do not support his plan. This remark comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Trump, highlighting escalating diplomatic tensions regarding the Palestinian situation.
Despite Trump’s belief that the surrounding Arab nations would accommodate hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, both Jordanian and Egyptian leaders have rebutted this notion, stating they cannot accept such large populations during the reconstruction of Gaza. Trump contested these rejections, asserting, “I do think he’ll take, and I think other countries will take also. They have good hearts.”
Amid growing criticism, some have claimed that forcibly relocating Palestinians would equate to war crimes or ethnic cleansing. In response to questions about Palestinian return rights post-Gaza reconstruction, Trump stated, “We’ve spoken to a lot of Palestinians, they would love to leave Gaza if they could find a place to be.”
He emphasized his belief that a safe and well-developed area would lead many Palestinians to leave Gaza, describing the current conditions as dire. Despite being pressed on whether the U.S. would impose such relocations, Trump suggested that many Palestinians would willingly leave, stating, “You’re going to see that they’re all going to want to leave.”
In summary, President Trump has indicated that the U.S. may withhold aid from Jordan and Egypt unless they agree to accept Palestinians from Gaza. His plan involves transforming Gaza into a livable area, but both Arab nations have expressed reluctance. The implications of such actions raise significant ethical concerns, with critics warning of potential violations of international law. Trump remains resolute in his belief that most Palestinians would prefer resettlement given the opportunity.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
