Latest news with #Palestinians.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Starvation Of Gaza A Continuation Of A Decades-old Plan
Reading an NBC News report a couple of days ago about a Trump administration plan to relocate 1 million Gazans to Libya reminded me of a conversation between the legendary Warsaw Ghetto leader Marek Edelman and fellow fighter and survivor Simcha Rotem that took place more than quarter of a century ago. In the conversation, first reported in Haaretz in 2023, Rotem said the Jews who walked into the gas chambers without a fight did so only because they were hungry. Edelman disagreed, but Rotem insisted. 'Listen, man. Marek, I'm surprised by your attitude. They only went because they were hungry. Even if they'd known what awaited them they would have walked into the gas chambers. You and I would have done the same.' Edelman cut him off. 'You would never have gone' [to the gas chamber.] Rotem replied, 'I'm not so sure. I was never that hungry.' Edelman agreed, saying: 'I also wasn't that hungry,' to which Rotem said, 'That's why you didn't go.' The NBC report claims that Israeli officials are aware of the plan and talks have been held with the Libyan leadership about taking in 1 million ethnically cleansed Palestinians.. The carrot being offered is the unfreezing of billions of dollars of Libya's own money seized by the US more than a decade ago. The Arabic word Sumud – or steadfastness – is synonymous with the Palestinian people. The idea that 1 million Gazans would agree to walk off the 1.4% of historic Palestine that is Gaza is inconceivable. But then the idea that my great grandmother and other relatives walked into the gas chambers is equally incomprehensible. But we've never been that hungry. The people of Gaza are. No food has entered Gaza for 76 days. Half a million Gazans are facing starvation and the rest of the population (more than 1.5 million people) are suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the UN. Last year, Israel's finance minister Bezalel Smotrich was widely condemned when he suggested starving Gaza might be 'justified and moral.' The lack of outrage and urgency being expressed by world leaders – particularly western leaders – after nearly 11 weeks of Israel actually starving the inhabitants of what retired IDF general Giora Eiland has called a giant concentration camp – is an outrage. As far as I'm aware there's been no talk of cutting off diplomatic relations, trade embargos or even cultural boycotts. Israel – which last time I looked wasn't in Europe – just placed second in Eurovision. 'I'm happy,' an Israeli friend messaged me, 'that my old genocidal homeland (Austria) won and not my current genocidal nation.' A third generation Israeli, she's one of a tiny minority protesting the war crimes being committed less than 100km from her apartment. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Irish president, Michael Higgins, is an honourable exception to the muted criticism being expressed by western leaders. Sanchez had declared Israel a genocidal state and said Spain won't do business with such a nation, And peaking at a national famine commemoration held over the weekend Higgens said the UN Security Council has failed again and again by not dealing with famines and the current 'forced starvation of the people of Gaza.' He cited UN secretary general António Guterres saying "as aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened. Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop." Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen argued in his 1981 book Poverty and Famines that famines are man-made and not natural disasters. Unlike Gaza, the famines he wrote about were caused by either callous disregard by the ruling elites for the populations left to starve or the disastrous results of following the whims of an all-powerful leader like chairman Mao. He argued that a famine had never occurred in a functioning democracy. It's a horrifying fact that a self-described democracy, funded and abetted by the world's most powerful democracy, has been allowed by the international community to starve two million people with no let-up in its bombing of barely functioning hospitals and killing of more than 2000 Gazans since the ban on food entering the strip was put in place. (Many more will have died due to a lack of medicine, food, and access to clean water.) After more than two months of denying any food or medicine to enter Gaza Israel is now saying it will allow limited amounts of food in to avoid a full-scale famine. 'Due to the need to expand the fighting, we will introduce a basic amount of food to the residents of Gaza to ensure no famine occurs,' prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained. 'A famine might jeopardise the continuation of Operation Gideon's Chariots aimed at eliminating Hamas.' If 19-months of indiscriminate bombardment, the razing to the ground of whole cities, the displacement of virtually the entire population, and more than 50,000 recorded deaths (the Lancet estimated the true figure is likely to be four times that) hasn't destroyed Hamas to Israel's satisfaction it's hard to conceive of what will. But accepting that that is the real aim of the ongoing genocide would be naïve. In the first cabinet meeting following the Six Day War, long before Hamas came into existence, ridding Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants was top of the agenda. "If we can evict 300,000 refugees from Gaza to other places … we can annex Gaza without a problem," defence minister Moshe Dayan said. The population of Gaza was 400,000 at the time. "We should take them to the East Bank [Jordan] by the scruff of their necks and throw them there,' minister Yosef Sapir said. Fifty-eight years later the possible destinations may have changed but the aim remains the same. And a shamefully indifferent western world combined with a malnourished and desperate population may be paving the way to a mass expulsion. If the US, Europe and their allies demanded that Israel stop, the killing would end tomorrow. By Jeremy Rose
Al Etihad
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Egyptian President unveils plan to rebuild Gaza
4 Mar 2025 21:04 CAIRO (WAM) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for adopting a plan to rebuild Gaza, asserting that Cairo opposes the displacement of Palestinians."The aggression on Gaza is a stain in the history of humanity," he said, adding that the Israeli war aimed to empty the Strip of its population. The Egyptian President made the remarks in his opening speech of the Extraordinary Arab Summit on the Palestinian Cause hosted in Cairo earlier today."It is time to present a path to peace that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy," he el-Sisi announced that Egypt will host an international conference on Gaza reconstruction next month and called on the international community to participate his speech, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain emphasised that lasting peace is the only guarantee for the Palestinian people to attain their rights. He also urged support for Egypt's plan for Gaza construction and reaffirmed his rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit described the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo as "a significant event in the history of the Palestinian cause." "Maintaining the occupation system will only bring temporary and fragile stability," he said, noting that the Palestinian people have lost all means to live a normal life and are living a painful reality due to the Israeli war on Gaza.
Saudi Gazette
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Malaysia and Egypt reject displacement of Palestinians
KUALA LUMPUR / CAIRO — Malaysia and Egypt have firmly rejected any plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza, stressing that such moves would undermine Palestinian statehood and violate fundamental Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday night that he held discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the humanitarian situation and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, emphasizing their shared opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians."President El-Sisi and I firmly reject any attempt to force Palestinians out of Gaza, as such actions would undermine the Palestinian cause and efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state," Anwar stated on Malaysian leader praised Egypt's ongoing role in facilitating humanitarian and medical aid to Palestinians, who are enduring Israel's devastating military also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to working alongside Japan under the East Asia Cooperation for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) initiative to help rebuild Gaza, stressing the importance of stronger international solidarity to deliver effective Jordan and Egypt are facing increasing U.S. pressure to accept Palestinian refugees, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for seizing control of Gaza and relocating its residents to other countries in the region. Trump reiterated his stance during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House on Tuesday, proposing that Gaza should be controlled by the U.S. and transformed into a tourist destination. The proposal has been vehemently rejected by Palestinians and Arab leaders, who insist on Gaza's sovereignty and Palestinian self-determination. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Trump insists US will take Gaza as he meets Jordan's King Abdullah
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has once again insisted the US will take control of the Gaza Strip, as he met Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House on was their first meeting since Trump announced his proposal to take over the enclave and move its population of two million Palestinians to other countries in the region, including this week, Trump suggested he could withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt unless they agreed to take in those Palestinians from a key US ally in the Middle East, is already home to millions of Palestinians and has rejected the proposal. King Abdullah said after their meeting that Jordan's "steadfast position [is] against the displacement of Palestinians".But speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, with King Abdullah seated to his right, Trump signaled he would not shift on his idea which triggered global condemnation when he unveiled it last week."We're going to take it. We're going to hold it. We're going to cherish it," he said of claimed that "a lot of jobs" would be created across the region if a US takeover of the devastated territory were to happen."I think it could be a diamond," he said, adding that he now believes the US is "above" having to threaten other countries to Abdullah sat quietly next to Trump as the president repeated a proposal that would upend decades of established US policy and could amount to a breach of international law, which prohibits the forcible transfer of has so far rejected the idea as a fundamental breach of international law, but has quietly expressed concerns about the kingdom's ability to absorb large numbers of the possibility of taking in additional Palestinians, King Abdullah said a solution that is "best for everybody" would be necessary. He said Jordan would take in 2,000 unwell Palestinian however, appeared unmoved and reiterated his stance that he expects Jordan and Egypt to play a part in housing resettled Palestinians."I believe we'll have a parcel of land in Jordan. I believe we'll have a parcel of land in Egypt," Trump said. "We may have someplace else, but I think when we finish our talks, we'll have a place where they're going to live very happily and very safely."Egypt has roundly rejected Trump's idea to remove Palestinians from Gaza. Its foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday that the country intended to put forward a plan with "a comprehensive vision for the reconstruction of Gaza in a manner that guarantees the Palestinian people's continued presence on their land, in alignment with their legitimate legal rights".The statement said Egypt had an "aspiration" to work with the Trump administration on its plan, but it stressed that any foreign intervention should "avoid jeopardizing the gains of Abdullah stressed that the Middle East was largely aligned with this position following his White House meeting. He wrote on X that his conversation with Trump was "constructive", but said that his country remained concerned with Trump's proposal."I reiterated Jordan's steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," he said. "This is the unified Arab position.""Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all," he is already home to millions of people descended from Palestinian refugees who were forced from the land that became Israel in 1948, alongside those whose roots lie firmly east of the River country has also absorbed waves of refugees from Syria, and is heavily reliant on US economic and military UN has warned that any forced displacement of civilians from occupied territory is strictly prohibited under international law and is "tantamount to ethnic cleansing".Trump on Tuesday appeared to dodge a question about that UN warning."We're moving them to a beautiful location where they can have new homes, where they can live safely, where they can have doctors and medical and all of those things," he Abdullah said during the meeting that the matter would be discussed and both sides should "wait until the Egyptians" can present their deal with Egypt is believed to be a proposal for the future governance of Gaza, backed by other Arab states as a way to counteract Trump's still being formulated, it is thought the proposal could involve a local administration of technocrats drawn from Palestinians in Gaza, without affiliating to factions including first revealing the US proposal during a news conference last week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump has repeatedly doubled down on his plan for Gaza, saying he is "committed to buying and owning" an interview with Fox News broadcast earlier this week, Trump said Gaza's two million residents would be resettled and have no right to return. "They wouldn't, because they have much better housing," he said. "I'm talking about building a permanent place for them." — BBC
Saudi Gazette
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Trump says US will ‘take over' Gaza Strip and doesn't rule out using American troops
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States 'will take over' the Gaza Strip — possibly with the help of American troops — while the Palestinians who live there should leave, a stunning proposal that would dramatically reorient the Middle East and subject a population of more than a million to further displacement.'The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,' Trump said during a joint press conference alongside his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, later describing his vision for the area as a new 'Riviera.''We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,' he whether he was willing to send US troops to fill a security vacuum in Gaza, Trump did not rule it out.'As far as Gaza is concerned, we'll do what is necessary. If it's necessary, we'll do that. We're going to take over that piece that we're going to develop it,' he comments are a remarkable assertion from a sitting American president, particularly one who rose to political power in the United States through his criticism of America's longest wars in the Middle East and pledges to return US investments back to its citizens. They open a host of questions about how Trump's land-grab would proceed, what its legal authorities would be and who would pay for the effort.'I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East,' Trump told reporters in the East Room of the White House. He said later: 'This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent.'There will be many in the region who oppose Trump's plan, despite his claim that all of his interlocutors love it. Already, Egypt and Jordan have rejected the notion of accepting additional Palestinian refugees, wary of destabilization and fearful they will never be allowed back suggested that was exactly what he envisioned: a future in Gaza that largely does not involve Palestinians.'I don't think people should be going back to Gaza,' Trump said in the Oval Office earlier in the day. 'I heard that Gaza has been very unlucky for them. They live like hell. They live like they're living in hell. Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative.'Later, he added that Palestinians could be among those who return to Gaza, but he was clear he did not envision the strip as a permanent home for them.'Palestinians also. Palestinians will live there. Many people will live there,' he a former real estate developer, said during his press conference that he had studied the matter 'closely, over a lot of months.'Those comments followed his suggestion earlier in the day that Gazans move to a new location provided by one or more nations in the Middle East.'I mean they're there because they have no alternative. What do they have? It is a big pile of rubble right now,' Trump said moments before hosting Netanyahu for Oval Office suggestion that Gazans leave the strip permanently amounts to a provocative stance that will endear him to Israel's most conservative politicians but is generally a non-starter for Israel's neighbors, who have said they are unwilling to accept new Palestinian refugees from the first on Tuesday, Trump framed the matter as a humanitarian one, saying it was impossible to believe anyone would want to remain in the war-torn territory.'Why would they want to return? The place has been hell,' Trump said, ignoring a reporter who cried out: 'Because it's their home.'Instead of Gaza, he suggested the Palestinians be provided a 'good, fresh, beautiful piece of land' to sitting alongside Trump in the Oval Office, smiled as Trump was speaking. The Israeli leader, under conflicting pressures domestically, was in Washington to ascertain exactly where Trump stands on the next phase of a ceasefire in Trump's dim views of Gaza as a permanent home for Palestinians was certain to provide grist for far-right allies of the Israeli leader, who have called on Netanyahu to abandon the temporary truce that was struck last Arab officials expressed puzzlement, concern and pessimism in the immediate wake of Trump's unexpected was 'rough, raw, hard to grasp and digest,' one official said, adding that they 'need clarity and further development to become understood.'A second official said the comments could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire deal in Gaza, stressing the 'profound implications such proposals have on the lives and dignity of the Palestinian people, as well as the broader Middle East.''The reality remains that 1.8 million people in Gaza would resist such an initiative and refuse to leave,' the diplomat comments, meanwhile, drew skepticism from congressional lawmakers, including from some within his own party.'We'll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians would probably not be excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza,' said South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. 'I think that might be problematic. But I'll keep an open mind.'The American president's proclamation laying claim to Gaza as US territory did not appear likely to convince Hamas to return immediately to the negotiating said he was still determined to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. 'We'd like to get all of the hostages, and if we don't, it will just make us somewhat more violent,' he has claimed credit for the hostages-for-ceasefire agreement struck in the days before he entered office – and even officials in the outgoing Biden administration acknowledged Trump's imminent arrival helped apply pressure on Israel and perhaps seeking to ingratiate himself with his host, praised Trump's efforts.'I think President Trump added great force and powerful leadership to this effort,' Netanyahu said in the Oval for all of his prodding to get the deal inked, Trump will still need to oversee the remaining two phases of the three-phase plan.'We'll see what happens. We're dealing with very complicated people, but a deal can absolutely get done,' he was plenty for Trump and Netanyahu to discuss beyond the immediate matter of the ceasefire is the prospect of a broader normalization of relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors that former President Joe Biden had been pursuing before the October 7, 2023, attacks. Trump, who openly pines for a Nobel Peace Prize, may see his opportunity in such a pursuit, which could transform the entire Middle East and create a new bulwark against not clear his comments Tuesday will be helpful. In a statement on X following Trump's remarks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry restated its long-held position that it will not commit to normalization of relations with Israel without guarantees of a Palestinian state.'Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,' the statement Netanyahu is interested in diplomacy – or whether he instead sees Trump's arrival in Washington as a moment to take decisive action against Iran, potentially even taking out its nuclear program – remains to be off his arrival, there was speculation Netanyahu could use the talks to take Trump's temperature on a direct strike, seizing a moment when Iranian proxies have been decimated, Iran's nuclear ambitions appear to be accelerating and while he has friendlier ties to Netanyahu arrived, Trump signed a directive authorizing a tough approach to Iran meant to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon while warning of 'obliteration' should he be assassinated by Tehran's said he'd left directions for his team on how to respond should he fall prey to an Iranian assassination plot.'I've left instructions,' Trump said. 'If they do it, they'll be obliterated.'Netanyahu's visit lasted several hours and included the joint press conference, all meant to demonstrate Trump's solidarity with the comity between the men belied a relationship that's more complicated than it sometimes appears – with nothing less than the future of the Middle East potentially riding on Trump's the lead-up to last November's election, there was little question among Biden's team that Netanyahu favored a Trump victory, believing he would enjoy a far wider remit from the American government to prosecute his war aims with Trump in office instead of then-Vice President Kamala predictions have not been Trump has lifted a hold on heavy bomb deliveries to Israel, rolling back one of the few Biden-era policies meant to exert leverage on Israel amid its war in while Trump is popular in Israel, and Netanyahu enthusiastically welcomed his return to the White House, things haven't always been so Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his election victory in 2020, Trump was enraged at what he saw as betrayal. In the months that followed, Trump accused Netanyahu of disloyalty and fumed to the esteemed Israeli reporter Barak Ravid, now a CNN analyst: 'F**k him.'Even three years later, after Hamas launched the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history, it was clear Trump's sore feelings hadn't entirely faded.'(Netanyahu) was not prepared. He was not prepared, and Israel was not prepared,' Trump said in an interview shortly after the attacks, comments that drew condemnation even from Trump's remarks Tuesday, delivered next to Netanyahu, suggest the animosity has been forgotten. The prime minister is planning to remain in Washington well beyond his Tuesday talks with Trump. He arrived to Blair House, the presidential guest residence, late Sunday and is expected to stay until the end of the week, including for meetings on Capitol Hill. — CNN
