Trump's Plan for Gaza

Two days ago, at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump floated a new idea about the Middle East.

It was not a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was a suggestion that, given that Gaza was now uninhabitable, the remaining civilians should  be relocated to countries like Egypt and Jordan. Then the United States could take control of the sliver of land and build a new and habitable place.

It must count as one of the few original ideas for how to solve the problem. Naturally, the world rose up to denounce it.Egypt and Jordan might be staunch supporters of the Palestinian cause, but they do not want any extra Palestinians in their own domains.

As it happens, most of the population of Jordan is Palestinian. And yet, the Egyptians and Jordanians both know that the Palestinians remaining in Gaza have been brainwashed into a form of mindless self-destructive radicalism. 

While everyone is caterwauling about how unrealistic the Trump proposal seems to be, consider this.

First, the proposal recognizes the reality on the ground. The Gaza strip is currently unfit for human habitation. Obviously, some people believe that they have a sacred right to the plot of land. If the plot does not provide the means of subsistence, these beliefs  are simply delusional. If there is no home to go to, you can’t go home again.

Second,Trump recognizes that the two state solution is not viable. Israel is not going to accept the existence of a terror state on its border, especially when that terror state is devoting all of its time and effort to killing Jews. Hamas killed the two state solution on October 7.  The Trump proposal guarantees Israeli security; thus it is a realistic improvement over the two-state solution.

Finally, the Trump vision of a prosperous Gaza, a Mediterranean resort, highlights the problem with the region. Jordan has a per capita GDP of approximately $4500.oo This is the same as Egypt. Israel has a per capita GDP of around $55,ooo. 

The gulf is extraordinary. Any solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict will require certain nations and peoples to set about building a functioning economy,the better to stop blaming other people for their failings.