Trump calls for Jordan, Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees: ‘Clean out that whole thing’

President Donald Trump made headlines on Saturday when he suggested that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations should accept more Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip. In a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned that he had spoken with King Abdullah II of Jordan and planned to speak with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt the following day.

“I’d like Egypt to take people,” Trump stated. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.'”

While Trump commended Jordan for accepting Palestinian refugees, he emphasized the need for more support from other Arab nations due to the dire situation in Gaza. He described the region as a “real mess” and suggested that a drastic displacement of people could potentially lead to a clean slate in the area heavily impacted by the recent Israel-Hamas war, which is currently under a ceasefire.

However, Trump’s proposal to relocate a large number of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to other countries has sparked controversy. Critics argue that such a move would contradict the deep connection Palestinians have to their homeland and could be seen as a form of ethnic cleansing.

Former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, who is of Palestinian descent, highlighted the historical ties Palestinians have to the land and warned against erasing their identity. He stressed that Palestinians in Gaza, like those in the West Bank and Israel, have ancestral roots in the region and should not be treated as expendable.

Despite the backlash, Trump defended his stance, citing the long history of conflicts in the region and the need for a new approach to address the dire conditions in Gaza. He proposed working with Arab nations to build housing in a different location where Palestinian refugees could potentially live in peace.

In addition to his comments on the refugee crisis, Trump also revealed that he had lifted the ban on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel that was imposed by former President Joe Biden during the Israel-Hamas war. He stated that the bombs were released to Israel because they had purchased them and had been waiting for their delivery.

The situation in Gaza remains complex, with ongoing efforts to rebuild and address the humanitarian crisis in the region. As discussions continue on the best course of action, the international community will play a crucial role in finding sustainable solutions for the people of Gaza.