The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) is deeply concerned by President Donald Trump’s recent remarks advocating for the expatriation of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries.
On January 27, 2025, Trump reiterated his earlier call for the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, noting they should move into Egypt or Jordan. He dismissed the reality of Gazans’ historic connection to their homeland, framing expulsion as a practical solution to the ongoing conflict. These remarks built upon his comments over the weekend, where he described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested “cleaning out” the population as a way to resolve the crisis, while calling their displacement potentially “temporary or long-term.”
These statements, advocating to uproot two million Palestinians, are deeply troubling. While these statements may seem outlandish and the idea behind them far-fetched, one of our concerns is that, over time, they will become normalized in discussions about the future of Palestine. Should that happen, they will be far more likely to be implemented.
The history and identity of the Palestinian people, rooted in their homeland for generations, cannot simply be erased to fit political agendas. Actions such as these only deepen suffering, fuel regional instability, and undermine any credible path toward a lasting and equitable resolution.
Furthermore, these remarks are not isolated from a broader context. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior advisor, has previously referred to Gaza’s “waterfront property” as a potentially valuable real estate asset, raising concerns about motives that prioritize economic development under Israeli control over the rights and dignity of Palestinians. Kushner’s comments from 2024, alongside the current calls for displacement, suggest a troubling pattern of framing Palestinian land as an opportunity for exploitation rather than a home for its people.
MPAC calls on all responsible leaders to reject such dangerous and dehumanizing rhetoric and to reaffirm their commitment to solutions that respect the rights, history, and aspirations of all people involved. The forced removal of entire populations is not a solution—it is a tragedy that undermines peace and justice for all.
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