Turkish Leader Condemns Trump’s Gaza Relocation Plan, Calls It Meaningless
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza, dismissing it as a politically motivated and insignificant plan driven by the “Zionist lobby.” Speaking at Istanbul Airport on Sunday, Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s firm stance against any attempt to forcibly expel Palestinians from their homeland.
Trump first floated the idea last week during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal involves transforming Gaza into what Trump called the “Riviera of the Middle East” and relocating Palestinians initially to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, with some eventually resettling in the developed Gaza Strip.
Erdogan dismissed the plan as “completely futile,” stating that no one has the power to remove Gazans from their ancestral homeland. He argued that Gaza, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, belongs solely to the Palestinians. Erdogan’s comments echo Turkey’s longstanding support for Palestinian rights and its criticism of Israeli policies in the region.
Trump’s proposal has been met with strong opposition from key regional players, including Jordan, Egypt, the Arab League, and Hamas. Global powers such as Germany, France, Brazil, Russia, and China have also condemned the displacement plan. Opponents argue that forced relocation violates international law and human rights principles.
Turkey, under Erdogan’s leadership, has been a vocal critic of Israel throughout the Gaza conflict. In May 2021, Turkey severed trade ties with Israel in response to the war, which Erdogan compared to the Holocaust. The ongoing dispute highlights the deep divide between regional powers on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the potential challenges Trump’s proposal may face in gaining traction.
In light of the widespread opposition and legal concerns surrounding Trump’s Gaza relocation plan, its feasibility and ultimate success remain uncertain. As negotiations continue, stakeholders will need to consider the complex historical, political, and humanitarian aspects at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.