Trump’s Gaza relocation plan revives old wounds and regional resistance
As appeared in the Jerusalem Post . By ALEX STERNBERG & DAVID S. LEVINE Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazans sparks Arab backlash—reviving decades-old debates over Palestinian identity, displacement, and the future of the conflict. US President Donald Trump recently announced his groundbreaking plan to rebuild Gaza and resettle its population in neighboring Egypt and Jordan. Egypt and the Arab world quickly condemned the Trump plan and proposed their own strategies for the “day after.” Their urgency stemmed from the fear that the plan might materialize, as reports emerged that over 35,000 Gazan residents have already left the enclave. By putting forth his plan, President Trump joined previous voices advocating for the removal of a segment of the Arab population. It is crucial to take a moment to reflect on history to understand the background of such plans. Just who are the Arabs Trump seeks to relocate? In the aftermath of the 1948 War of Independence, ...