US Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, calling the plan “incomprehensible” and a blatant disregard for human rights.
US Senator Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont and a long-time advocate for Palestinian rights, condemned Trump’s remarks made during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the former president, the United States should oversee Gaza’s redevelopment, removing unexploded ordnance and debris from Israeli brutal airstrikes, while resettling its 2.2 million residents elsewhere.
Trump, who is vying for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, suggested that Palestinians in Gaza would be better off if they were relocated to other countries, particularly neighboring Egypt and Jordan. He framed his proposal as a solution to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and a means to transform the enclave into a more economically viable region.
“Gaza has been completely devastated, and let’s be honest, it’s not going to get better anytime soon,” Trump said during the press briefing. “We need to remove the people, clear out the destruction, and make Gaza an attractive place for investment.”
His comments have sparked an international backlash, with critics calling it an endorsement of forced displacement, which is considered a violation of international law under the Geneva Conventions.
In a scathing response, Sanders called Trump’s plan an “outrageous and immoral” scheme that disregards the suffering of Palestinian civilians, many of whom have lost homes, families, and livelihoods due to Israeli military attacks.
“Nearly every home in Gaza has been destroyed. Their hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure are in ruins,” Sanders said in a statement. “Trump’s suggestion that we simply move 2.2 million people—who have already suffered so much—to another country is not only absurd, it’s an outright violation of international law.”
The Vermont senator urged the Biden administration to distance itself from such proposals and instead push for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The proposal has drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations and international legal experts, who warn that forced displacement could amount to ethnic cleansing. The United Nations has repeatedly stated that the Palestinian people have the right to remain in their homeland and that any forced removal would exacerbate regional tensions.
Egypt and Jordan, both of which already host significant Palestinian refugee populations, have rejected any plans that would involve large-scale resettlement from Gaza. Egyptian officials reaffirmed their position that the Palestinian cause must be resolved within Palestinian territories, rather than shifting the burden to neighboring states.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that displacing Palestinians from Gaza would be a “dangerous escalation” and that the international community must focus on ensuring a ceasefire and humanitarian aid rather than relocation.
The Biden administration has not directly addressed Trump’s comments but has reiterated its support for a two-state solution. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated that US policy remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Palestinians territories.
“We believe in a just and lasting peace that respects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians,” Jean-Pierre told reporters. “The United States does not support any efforts that would forcibly displace civilians or undermine long-term peace efforts.”
Gaza remains at the center of escalating violence between Israel and Hamas, with humanitarian agencies warning of worsening conditions due to food shortages, infrastructure collapse, and continued hostilities. Efforts by international mediators, including the United Nations and regional partners, to broker a ceasefire have yet to yield significant progress.
Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks have fueled further debate over US foreign policy in the Middle East, with Democrats and progressive lawmakers warning against policies that could inflame regional instability.
With the 2024 election campaign heating up, Trump’s stance on Gaza is likely to remain a contentious issue, reflecting broader divisions over America’s role in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
