Trump’s Gaza Resort Plan Sparks Global Controversy
In a move that has ignited international debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump released a generative AI video on Truth Social, envisioning Gaza transformed into a luxury resort. The video, featuring golden statues, beachfront scenes, and prominent figures like Elon Musk, showcases Trump’s proposal to expel 2.1 million Palestinians and reshape Gaza into a Gulf state-like “Riviera.”
The video opens with Palestinian children walking through the rubble of Gaza, followed by scenes of skyscrapers lining the coast. A voice sings, “Trump Gaza shining bright. Golden future, a brand-new light. Feast and dance. The deed is done.” Images of bikini-clad dancers and Elon Musk showered in U.S. dollars add to the surreal nature of the video.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) swiftly condemned the proposal as a violation of international law. PA Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen referenced past displacements during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, vowing, “We have tried displacement before, and it will not happen again.”
Hamas-run Gaza’s Government Media Office labeled the video “disgraceful” and accused it of promoting “ethnic cleansing” with American support. Ismail Al-Thawabtah, the office’s director-general, criticized the portrayal of Gaza as a land without people, deeming it an attempt to justify Israeli occupation.
Trump, in response to criticism from Egyptian and Jordanian leaders, told Fox News, “The way to do it is my plan. I think that’s the plan that really works. But I’m not forcing it. I’m just going to sit back and recommend it.”
Arab leaders convened in Riyadh to formulate an alternative reconstruction strategy for Gaza. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed interest in post-war rebuilding efforts but emphasized the need for Palestinian statehood and a reformed Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, Egypt rejected Trump’s plan, affirming Palestinians’ right to live on their land.
The controversy highlights deep-seated tensions in the region. While Trump’s vision for Gaza as a luxurious destination sparks outrage, Arab nations are working toward a reconstruction plan rooted in Palestinian sovereignty.
