TEL AVIV, Israel — President Donald Trump’s proposal suggesting U.S. control over the Gaza Strip and the relocation of its Palestinian population has sparked outrage across the Arab world and caught many global leaders off guard. The plan has also bewildered some in Trump’s own political party. However, in Israel, the reception has been noticeably different.
The notion of relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza—once a contentious topic—has gained traction among an Israeli public shaken by the recent attacks from Hamas on October 7, 2023. This tragedy, which marked the deadliest incident in Israel’s history, has led many to search for means to regain a sense of security.
Israeli politicians, spanning the political spectrum, have either fully embraced Trump’s proposal or indicated a willingness to consider it. Positive mentions of the plan have appeared in columns and debates across various media outlets, while the country’s defense minister has requested military preparations for its potential execution.
Even though there are significant hurdles to overcome—both ethical and logistical—the very suggestion from a leader as influential as Trump has ignited enthusiasm around a previously radical idea in Israel. Noted historian Tom Segev observed that the notion being publicly discussed legitimizes what could be a severe violation of human rights.
Critics, including many proponents of the Palestinian cause, maintained that any such relocation should be voluntary, highlighting concerns raised by international figures like the U.N. Secretary-General about the implications of forced transfer, referred to by some as “ethnic cleansing.” Furthermore, liberal Israelis and Palestinian citizens expressed strong opposition to the idea. In an editorial, the liberal publication Haaretz emphasized the importance of rejecting any forced displacement, reiterating that such acts violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.
During a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump detailed his vision of transforming Gaza into a prosperous locale—dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East”—while facilitating the relocation of its inhabitants to other regions. This idea has drawn intense backlash from neighboring states, including Egypt and Jordan, both of which have historically maintained peace treaties with Israel, yet find Trump’s proposition troubling.
Netanyahu has branded Trump’s plan as “remarkable” and a “good idea,” noting the merits of allowing Gazans the option to leave if they so desire. Defense Minister Israel Katz responded by encouraging military strategists to formulate a plan for such an exodus, though specifics of the plan remain unclear. Other political leaders have similarly expressed a willingness to consider the proposal while emphasizing the need to prioritize the safe return of hostages held in Gaza.
The announcement resonates deeply with Palestinians, evoking painful historical memories of displacement stemming from the 1948 war, which fortified Israel’s statehood, as well as the aftermath of the 1967 conflict where Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza. The endurance of Palestinians on their territory is a fundamental aspect of their identity, with many refugees yearning to return to their ancestral lands within what is now Israel, where such a shift is seen as jeopardizing its Jewish majority.
Historically, ideologies similar to Trump’s have been marginalized in Israel, often associated with extremist elements, including the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. Previously deemed radical, his viewpoints have increasingly merged with those espoused by Israel’s far-right political factions, now significantly influencing Netanyahu’s leadership. These factions have appropriated the term “voluntary emigration,” which Palestinians perceive as a euphemism for coerced removal. Trump’s endorsement of this concept has undoubtedly emboldened far-right sentiments within Israeli politics.
The upheaval caused by Hamas on October 7 also catalyzed a shift away from support for a Palestinian state among many Israelis, pivoting toward a belief that the conflict cannot be resolved and must instead be managed through ongoing military actions. The scale of the trauma inflicted by Hamas has led to a reevaluation of previously dismissed ideas, with many Israelis now seeing the removal of Gaza from the geopolitical equation as a potential pathway to safety.
Broadcasters and columnists have expressed a similar transformation in mindset, with some stating they have had a change of heart regarding moral reservations they held before the attack. Experts indicate that Trump’s controversial plan has transcended its former position as an illegitimate idea in Israeli discourse, signaling a broader acceptance of more extreme solutions in the aftermath of recent events.
