CITIZENS NEWS

Netanyahu and far-right allies embrace Trump's controversial Gaza relocation plan

By isabelle // 2025-02-08

• President Trump proposes turning Gaza into a "Middle Eastern Riviera" by relocating Palestinians, a plan supported by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
• The proposal is widely condemned as a form of ethnic cleansing and genocide, violating international law.
• Far-right Israeli leaders enthusiastically back the plan, seeing it as a solution to the Palestinian conflict.
• Human rights organizations and Palestinian leaders criticize the plan, calling it a violation of rights and a continuation of displacement.

While much of the world recoiled in horror at President Trump's suggestion to level Gaza and turn it into a "Middle Eastern Riviera," some Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have expressed support for the idea. The proposal, which would involve the forced relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, has been widely condemned as a form of ethnic cleansing and genocide. However, key figures in Netanyahu’s coalition and beyond have rallied behind the plan, raising serious ethical and humanitarian concerns.

Netanyahu’s endorsement

During a joint press conference at the White House, Trump outlined a plan to have the United States take over the Gaza Strip, relocate its residents, and rebuild it. Netanyahu, sitting beside Trump, called the idea "remarkable" and a "good idea," despite the plan's potential to violate international law. “The actual idea of allowing first Gazans who want to leave, to leave. I mean, what’s wrong with that?” Netanyahu told Fox News, adding that those who leave could return. He further praised the plan, saying it could "create a different future for everyone."

Support from far-right leaders

The far-right segment of Israeli politics has been particularly enthusiastic about Trump's proposal. Israel Ganz, head of the Yesha Council, a prominent settler group, called for Israel to adopt Trump’s vision immediately. He said the plan was akin to “declaring an end to the Palestinian dream to destroy Israel through Gaza or the establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel." Itamar Ben Gvir, a West Bank settler and leader of the Jewish Power party, has also thrown his support behind the plan. Ben Gvir, who quit Netanyahu’s coalition over a Gaza ceasefire, said he would rejoin the government if the plan is implemented. “The ball is now in the hands of the prime minister. As soon as we start and there is an intention to implement it – I’m back,” he stated. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right leader, has been working on an "operational plan" to turn Trump's proposal into actionable policy. “The plan presented yesterday by President Trump is the true answer to October 7,” Smotrich declared, referring to Hamas’s attack on Israel.

Ethical and legal concerns

Despite the support from some Israeli leaders, the plan has been criticized by human rights organizations and international leaders as a violation of international law. The idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza is widely considered a form of ethnic cleansing and could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Palestinian officials and leaders have strongly condemned the proposal, emphasizing that it would be a violation of their rights and a continuation of their displacement. MK Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Ra’am party, stated, “It is impossible to carry out a transfer without committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.” Even within Israel, liberal voices have raised concerns. The liberal daily Haaretz urged Israelis to “oppose transfer,” arguing that the forced expulsion or transfer of civilians violates international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime. While President Trump’s proposal to level Gaza and relocate its residents has found support among some Israeli leaders, the ethical and legal implications of such a plan are profound. The idea of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement is not only a violation of international law but also a human rights disaster that could further destabilize the region. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com TimesOfIsrael.com CNN.com ABCNews.go.com

Israel genocide Trump human rights outrage relocation Gaza Netanyahu Smotrich