Trump wants to turn Gaza into a tourist paradise

US President Donald Trump caused an international seizure on Tuesday (4) with his suggestion of making the Gaza strip the new “Middle East Riviera.” The statement came during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the White House at the invitation of the Republican leader.

One of the points raised by Trump that most contributed to the criticism and the questions involves the displacement of Palestinians out of the enclave to the “reconstruction” of the area. “I don’t want to be playful or smart, but the Middle East Riviera … that could be magnificent,” the US president suggested, showing his longtime business face.

On Wednesday (5), Trump again commented on the project, stating that “everyone loves” their plan for the US to take control of the Gaza Strip and to resume Palestinians in other countries in the region. On the other hand, he refused to give details about the proposal, saying that “it was not the proper time” for that.

This was not the first time the president gave clues to his “business project” to the Palestinian enclave. On inauguration day, on January 20, Trump told reporters: “You know, Gaza is interesting, it’s a phenomenal location at sea, the best climate. Everything is good. Some beautiful things could be done with her. ” Finally, he added that he could help reconstruct the small track.

Steve Witkoff’s choice – a real estate developer – to be the US envoy in the Middle East also points to his interest in new investments in the region. He is one of the greatest supporters of the president’s “Riviera” project.

A source familiar with the subject told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that Trump was already talking to Netanyahu about a business vision for the Gaza Strip, saying “it was a noble piece of land” and that he (Netanyahu) Think about the types of real estate that could be built in the region.

This same reconstruction offer was made to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during the Republican leader’s first term (2017-2021). Trump suggested lifting imposing hotels in exchange for the dismantling of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal. The plan did not succeed, but the president again suggested that he would try a new contact with Kim in this new administration.

Trump would also have suggested to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, that the country would be a good place for real estate development, especially the city of Odessa, told WSJ a person present at the meeting of the two leaders last year.

The way to achieve the goal of rebuilding Gaza and transforming it into a tourist paradise, however, has several obstacles.

Many countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom and France, see Trump’s “opportunity” as a violation of international law, while Arab nations believe this is an attempt to liquidate the chances of forming a Palestinian state.

Trump insisted that Jordan and Egypt should accept more Palestinian refugees from Gaza, a proposal that has been repeatedly rejected by these two countries over the past few months, as well as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, a first obstacle is the international support weakened.

Another issue that will bring immediate effect to the US is the fact that by taking control of the territory inhabited by Palestinians, Washington positions himself at the center of the most complex diplomatic conflicts in the world. Trump also tries to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Iran, the country with which the US faces a certain rivalry.

Despite promising during his election campaign to remove the US from conflict in the Middle East, Trump does not now rule out the sending of American troops to support Gaza’s reconstruction and assured that his country would do “what was needed” to carry on this project.

The new plan presented by the Republican this week, along with other measures in these early weeks of government, launches doubts about the role that the White House will play abroad in the coming years, as the president’s initially seemed to defend a more isolationist view for this second term. , focused on national development, but now develops an apparent expansionary ideal.

After the press conference with the announcement of his proposal to Gaza, Trump promised to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gaza Strip, without specifying travel dates. “I love Israel, I will visit Israel. I will visit Gaza, will visit Saudi Arabia and visit other places in the Middle East, ”he said at a news conference after meeting with Netanyahu.