Israeli Minister Backs Trump’s Proposal for Gazan Relocation

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Gazans be offered residency in Arab nations, calling it “the most realistic solution” to a decades-long conflict. Speaking after a Knesset meeting on Monday, Smotrich criticized the policies that have kept Gazans in dire conditions, arguing they were intentionally designed to perpetuate hatred toward Israel.

“For 76 years, they have been held in Gaza on purpose in poverty, in destitution, in overcrowding,” Smotrich stated. “The United Nations and others ensured that they would suffer, blaming their hardship on Israel and instilling in them a hatred that fuels violence.”

Smotrich pointed to the deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people, as evidence of the deeply ingrained hostility fostered in Gaza. He described the Gaza Strip as a “time bomb,” maintained by regional actors who, for decades, refused to improve the lives of the Palestinian population.

Trump’s proposal, announced over the weekend, suggested relocating Gazans to other Arab countries. The former president singled out Egypt and Jordan as potential hosts for displaced Palestinians, with additional reports indicating Albania and Indonesia had been discussed as alternatives.

Trump doubled down on his stance during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, stating his vision for Gazans to live “in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence.” Calling the Gaza Strip “hell for so many years,” Trump said his plan aims to end the region’s cycle of conflict and destruction.

Smotrich highlighted the failures of previous peace efforts, such as the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan and the Oslo Accords, arguing that they ignored the fundamental issue: the refusal of Palestinian leadership to coexist with Israel.

“We’ve tried to divide the land for decades, but the other side doesn’t want to live next to us they want to live in our place,” Smotrich said. “It’s time to try something new: relocate the refugees, help them start fresh, and allow them to rebuild their lives. It would benefit them, us, and the entire region.”

Trump’s proposal has drawn mixed reactions internationally. While some Israeli leaders, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, praised the idea as “important and correct,” others voiced skepticism. Reports suggesting that Albania might host up to 100,000 Gazans were dismissed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as “fake news.” In a public statement, Rama reaffirmed his support for a Palestinian state under democratic governance but denied any plans to take in refugees.

As discussions continue, the proposal has stirred debate on its feasibility and potential consequences. While some see it as a way to alleviate suffering and reduce hostilities, others warn it could deepen regional tensions.

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