Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon voiced his support for President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take control over Gaza. Danon said, though, that any relocation of Palestinians should be voluntary.
“I think we all agree that it should require the consent — consent of people to move out from where they live, and the consent for other countries to receive them,” Danon said Wednesday during an interview, reports Politico.
Trump’s proposal came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he said the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” and oversee its reconstruction. Speaking in the East Room alongside Netanyahu, Trump stated: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. 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. Level it out. Create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."
Trump also said that the region could not return to its previous state, adding that American control over Gaza would bring lasting stability, saying: "We will restore calm and stability to the region and expand prosperity, opportunity and hope to our nations and for all people in the Middle East — including the Arab and Muslim nations. Very important."
Trump didn't go into specifics on how the US would assume control over Gaza. He also did not rule out deploying American troops to manage the territory. Netanyahu expressed support for the idea, but the proposal has drawn widespread condemnation from the Arab world and Western allies.
Saudi Arabia warned that the move would violate Palestinian rights and could put future diplomatic relations with Israel at risk. Jordan and Egypt, which have previously resisted Trump’s efforts to relocate Gazans, also rejected the idea. Meanwhile United Kingdom and other allies have criticized the plan, Politico reports.
Danon noted the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s proposal and warned that if no viable alternative emerges, Palestinians will be “doomed to stay where they are,” as Israel refuses to allow Hamas to keep power.
"If Hamas will stay there, it’s only a matter of time that we will have to attack Gaza again," Danon stated.
