President Donald Trump has provoked international condemnation after declaring that the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip and suggesting Palestinians be permanently relocated elsewhere.
The statement, made during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was met with widespread rejection from world leaders who denounced it as a violation of international law.
Trump framed his proposal as a redevelopment project, saying that Gaza could become “the Riviera of the Middle East,” while also describing the territory as a “demolition site.”
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
He added that “the world’s people will live there… also Palestinians,” and did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to enforce his plan.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri rejected Trump’s comments, warning of potential “chaos.”
“We reject Trump’s statements,” Abu Zuhri told Newsweek in a statement. “We consider them a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.”
How World Leaders Responded to Trump’s Gaza Remarks
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from leaders across the globe, including key U.S. allies, Middle Eastern nations, and human rights organizations. Below is a breakdown of the strongest reactions to Trump’s remarks.
Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia swiftly rejected Trump’s proposal, reaffirming its position on Palestinian statehood.
“Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. It also stated that Riyadh “would not establish ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state,” contradicting Trump’s earlier claim that normalization did not require Palestinian sovereignty.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a two-state solution and dismissed Trump’s plan.
“Australia’s position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year. The Australian government supports, on a bipartisan basis, a two-state solution,” Albanese said at a press briefing in Canberra.
Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly condemned Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, calling it “unacceptable.”
“Any resettlement plans, the idea that the citizens of Gaza will be expelled from there to Egypt or Jordan, is unacceptable,” Scholz said at a campaign event in Berlin.
He further emphasized his support for a two-state solution and stated that the Palestinian Authority must assume responsibility for Gaza.
“The fragile hope for peace that is now possible must not be squandered,” Scholz added, referring to the recent ceasefire agreement.
Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator (D-CT)
Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized Trump’s comments on social media, warning that they could drag the U.S. into another prolonged conflict.
“A U.S. invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of U.S. troops and decades of war in the Middle East. It’s like a bad, sick joke,” Murphy said on X.
He’s totally lost it. A U.S. invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of U.S. troops and decades of war in the Middle East. It’s like a bad, sick joke. https://t.co/on4Vf4z4kB
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 5, 2025
Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Representative (D-MI)
Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib strongly rebuked Trump’s proposal, calling it an endorsement of ethnic cleansing.
“Palestinians aren’t going anywhere. This president can only spew this fanatical bullshit because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing,” Tlaib said. “It’s time for my two-state solution colleagues to speak up.”
Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator (D-MD)
Senator Chris Van Hollen warned that Trump’s comments could worsen instability in the region.
“Trump’s proposal to push 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza and take ‘ownership’ by force, if necessary, is simply ethnic cleansing by another name. This declaration will give ammunition to Iran and other adversaries while undermining our Arab partners in the region,” he said.
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
The leading U.S. Muslim civil rights organization, CAIR, strongly opposed Trump’s proposal.
“Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump’s call to expel Palestinians from their land is an absolute non-starter. If the Palestinian people were ever somehow forcibly expelled from Gaza, this crime against humanity would spark widespread conflict, put the final nail in the coffin of international law, and destroy what remains of our nation’s international image and standing,” CAIR said in a statement.
