Palestinian Americans condemn Trump’s Gaza ‘takeover’ plan

NEW YORK/ISTANBUL (AA) – Palestinian Americans have strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s recent statements about taking control of Gaza and establishing a new settlement there without Palestinians.

Representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting Palestine spoke about Trump’s remarks, which were made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Badr Risheq, an activist with the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) organization, denounced the plan, saying: “I think it’s ridiculous, to be honest. I know any sensible, not just any person, a sensible Palestinian American, but any sensible American will see that this proposal is unsatisfactory. It’s unacceptable.”

He emphasized that most Gazans are Palestinians who were forcibly expelled from their homes in 1948, describing the US rhetoric of reoccupation and forced relocation as “salt to their wounds.”

– ‘Israel comes first’

Risheq accused Trump of prioritizing Israel over US interests, despite campaigning on an “America First” platform.

“Well, how is he talking? Oh, it’s speech front. It’s real estate. My friend, these are people’s homes. These are their lives. This isn’t just… real estate development deal that you can take advantage of. Not to mention, there’s an abundance of gas reserves over there that’s going to benefit who? The Palestinians. Why would they give it to them?” he said.

He stressed that Palestinians in Gaza would not be displaced and called for a more equitable US foreign policy that recognizes Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

Risheq also criticized Netanyahu’s recent visit to the US, calling it an embarrassment that the Israeli prime minister, “who has been sought for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), sat next to the ‘leader of the free world.'”

He further condemned past and present US administrations for their unwavering support for Israel.

“Whether it’s Trump or Biden, it doesn’t matter. Unfortunately, both parties are subservient to Israel,” he added.

– ‘It’s a scary time for Palestinians’

Basma Bsharat, education director at the New Jersey Palestinian American Community Center, described Trump’s statements as deeply alarming.

“Honestly, as shocking and as frustrating as it is and as this announcement was, at the same time, for many of us, it wasn’t too shocking in the sense that, yes, for him to just boldly and brazenly announce, that this is happening. The genocide had started last year and this is a continuation of that,” she said.

She warned that Palestinians and their allies face growing threats, stating, “This is going to be a very scary time for Palestinians and for allies that are advocating for the Palestinian cause and the struggle.”

Bsharat affirmed that Palestinian advocacy in the US would continue with renewed determination.

“No matter what happens, the Palestinian people are resilient and will always return home. Palestinians and Palestinian Americans are hopeful and confident. We’ve seen the genocide and the systematic Nakba that’s been happening for over 76 years and Palestinian people did not leave,” she added.

Trump has proposed to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and place the territory under long-term US control.