Trump Signals Sea Change: Settler Sanctions Lifted, Gazan Relocation and Riviera

Jan 21, 2025 1:56 pm | News, Ticker, Virtual Jerusalem

Trump and his lead Mideast advisor suggest relocating a couple million Gazas to Indonesia and turning Gaza into a Riviera. Sanctions against Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria, vindictively imposed by the Biden Administration, have been consigned to the dustbin of history.

U.S. President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, announced the rescission of sanctions imposed by the previous administration on certain Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria. This policy shift, widely interpreted as a sign of unwavering support for Israel, aligns with the timing of the Jenin operation and signals a departure from policies viewed as unfavorable to Israeli interests.

The sanctions had been imposed to deter settlement expansion, which some international observers argue undermines the two-state solution. However, the Trump administration framed the decision as a correction of “unfair restrictions” on Israeli citizens exercising what it described as their “historic and legal rights” in Judea and Samaria.

The rescission has drawn criticism from Palestinian leadership, who claim it emboldens Israel to intensify military operations and settlement activities, exacerbating tensions. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the move as “proof of American complicity in the occupation.” Israeli officials welcomed the decision, viewing it as a validation of their security and territorial policies

U.S. Proposals for Gaza Development and Relocation

Adding a controversial dimension to the unfolding events, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the potential for real estate development in Gaza, suggesting that economic investments could transform the region into a “world-class resort destination.” Trump posited that tourism, luxury hotels, and beachfront properties could be an economic lifeline for Gaza’s residents, arguing that such initiatives could provide a “pathway to prosperity” and help reduce violence in the region.

Trump’s remarks align with the long-standing U.S. approach of promoting economic incentives as part of peace-building efforts. However, critics argue that these ideas are detached from the realities of the ongoing conflict and overlook the deep-seated political and humanitarian issues affecting Gaza’s population.

Real estate magnate Steve Witkoff, a close Trump ally, added to the discussion by floating the controversial idea of relocating Gaza’s residents to Indonesia. Witkoff suggested that such a move, coupled with substantial international funding, could alleviate the humanitarian crisis and create new opportunities for displaced Palestinians. “The world has to think outside the box,” Witkoff reportedly said, emphasizing the potential for turning a “tragic situation into an innovative solution.”

The proposals have been met with sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders and international human rights organizations, who describe them as impractical and dehumanizing. Relocating an entire population, they argue, ignores the fundamental right of Palestinians to live in their homeland and exacerbates an already volatile situation.

2 Comments

  1. CADDIS

    They’d love it in Indonesia. Muslim population for the most part, some Hindus, a few Christians, and no Jews. Beaches. Tropical climate (better than the desert) and great food.

    Problem is, who knos what factious ideologies and belligerant social practices they’d bring with them?

  2. E. Goldie

    This is an outstanding idea! I agree 100% with President Trump’s thinking of innovative ways to solve the intractable problem of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The arab world could also easily absorb the 2 million Palestinians (formerly Egyptians) in the Gaza Strip, but won’t. And as long as the Hamas flame burns in the hearts of Palestinians in Gaza, there will always be war with them. So the “out of the box” thinking of relocation is a win-win solution for all parties. With relocation, you remove all elements of Hamas from Gaza. And the Palestinians will get a better life, and have a “pathway to prosperity,” as the President said. And it would be a great catalyst for reducing violence in the region.

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