2025 Must Not Mark Another Chapter of Ethnic Cleansing—Gaza Belongs to Palestinians [WASHINGTON, D.C., February 11, 2025] – American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) condemns, in the strongest terms, President Donald Trump’s plans to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land, annexing it for the United States and developing it for selfish business interests. President Trump’s plan is under no uncertain terms, a war crime, a violation of international law, and a repeat of the ethnic cleansing, land grabbing, and settler colonialism of Palestine that began with the Nakba in 1948. Trump’s statements alongside the King of Jordan are not simply reckless rhetoric—they are a genocidal declaration that would complete the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza that began under President Joe Biden. Trump is openly calling for the total depopulation of Gaza, an act that directly violates the Genocide Convention of 1948 and longstanding international law. International law defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Trump’s plan would: - Forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza.
- Permanently deny Palestinians their right to return.
- Confiscate their land for Israeli settlements and “real estate projects”; and
- Continue to use starvation and deprivation of basic necessities as a weapon of war, as Israel continues to block food, water, and medical supplies from reaching Gazans.
 After sending $18 billion to Israel to commit the genocide of Palestinians, and approving even more weapons, the United States should be giving funds to Palestinians to rebuild their homeland, not expel them from it. Trump has described his vision for Gaza as if he were discussing a hotel acquisition, stating, "In the meantime, I would own [Gaza]. Think of it as a real estate development for the future." These are not just the words of an out-of-touch billionaire—they are the words of an imperialist leader endorsing war crimes. His statement echoes the violent, expansionist rhetoric of Israel’s far-right leadership, which has repeatedly advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Trump’s comments also hand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a blank check to continue his government’s illegal occupation and expansionist policies. By floating the idea of Gaza’s total destruction and Israeli takeover, Trump is providing Netanyahu the cover he needs to sabotage the ceasefire and escalate military aggression. The Regional and International Implications Are Dangerous Trump’s proposal has already outraged leaders in the Arab world, with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia expressing grave concerns over any plan that would forcibly displace Palestinians. “Trump thinks he can impose his will on the people of the region and act like an imperialist leader repeating past crimes against indigenous peoples. It is our responsibility not to let him do this,” said Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, AMP Executive Director. The Palestinian people have suffered immensely for more than a hundred years as a result of Western imperialism as they have been expelled from their land while the remaining have been forced to live under apartheid. “Palestinians have a homeland, and it’s called Palestine. If some of the Palestinians in Gaza must leave the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, then let them return to their original villages and cities in the remainder of occupied Palestine. That's the only just and practical solution,” added Dr. Abu Irshaid. If the international community does not take a firm stance against Trump’s plans, Israel will proceed with its ethnic cleansing through starvation, destruction, and forced expulsion. The world has witnessed ethnic cleansing before. We have seen genocide before. History will judge those who stand by and do nothing. AMP will continue to work tirelessly and relentlessly to stand against the unjust U.S. policies that enable Israel’s ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people. We will fight until they are changed and the mistakes of the past and present are corrected. In solidarity,
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) |
