President Donald Trump bewildered everyone—in the region, the world, and the United States—with his “idea” to displace the people of Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, rebuild it as an American territory, and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The confusion continues as Trump continues to develop and elaborate on this unfeasible idea that would require deploying three times as many troops as the US sent to topple Saddam Hussein's regime. It would also require immense financial resources that neither Trump's Washington nor regional nations can afford.
The outrage seen in the Arab world, where the “idea” of displacing Gaza’s inhabitants has been roundly rejected and denounced, is understandable and justified. However, we must remember that this is the same President Trump who wanted to annex Canada to the United States, take Greenland as well, reclaim the Panama Canal, and rename the Gulf of Mexico—in other words, change the map of the world!
That is not feasible, and it would likely do nothing but create more confusion globally. How could the US own or seize Gaza, attempt to annex Canada and Greenland—both being the “land of the people”—while simultaneously waging war alongside Europe against Russia over Ukraine and antagonizing China over Taiwan?
True, the idea of displacing Gaza’s inhabitants is dangerous and insane. But is it the only insane idea concerning Gaza? Certainly not. Far more dangerous ideas have been implemented and are being implemented. This has been the case for years, but it has not provoked such forceful reactions. Let’s compare.
Which is more dangerous: displacing Gaza’s inhabitants or destroying Gaza, causing the deaths of nearly 50,000 people, injuring over 96,000, and leaving 60% of its buildings either destroyed or damaged, making it take no less than five years to rebuild? Which is worse: displacement or forcing over two million people to endure five wars over a territory that spans just 360 square kilometers?
Which is more dangerous: displacement or the ongoing Palestinian split that makes the dream of statehood impossible? Which is worse: displacement or Gaza being ruled by Hamas, with half its members living in tunnels and the other half staying at hotels, while its people live under an open sky, exposed to Israeli airstrikes?
Which is more dangerous: displacement or Gaza’s fate being dictated by Iran’s “Beirut room,” which was overseen by Hassan Nasrallah at the time, and before him, by Qassem Soleimani?
And which is more dangerous: Trump’s insane idea or the Palestinian Authority admitting that before the war even ends, it has no plan for the day after?
Which is more dangerous: negotiating with Iran over Gaza or negotiating with Trump over his displacement “idea”? The answer is very simple: they are all dangerous—Trump’s “idea,” Hamas’ actions, the Palestinian Authority’s short-sightedness, and its failure to rise to the occasion and understand their implications for the Palestinian cause as a whole.
Therefore, all insane ideas must be rejected with one voice and equal outrage, and a plan for the day after must be implemented immediately. The first step, before even considering reconstruction or the completion of a ceasefire, must be for the Palestinian Authority to take control of Gaza and implement the needed reforms.
Anything less would amount to nothing but running in circles, leaving the door open for more insane “ideas” that could destroy not just Gaza, but the entire Palestinian cause. Otherwise, Gaza and the cause itself risk falling into a continuous cycle of decline: “from a hole to a pit,” as the old proverb goes.
