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Donald Trump’s comments about taking long-term control of Gaza, forcing Palestinians out to other countries, and turning the area into a luxury “Gaza Riviera” are not just offensive — they are dangerous. They potentially amount to an open endorsement of ethnic cleansing.
The people of Gaza are not an obstacle to be cleared away for beachfront development. They are families who have lived on this land for generations. Parents who just want to keep their children safe. Doctors who have worked through unimaginable conditions to save lives. Teachers who, even under bombardment, try to bring hope to the next generation. For months, they have endured a humanitarian catastrophe. And now they are being spoken about as a problem to be removed.
This is dehumanisation in real time, rhetoric that paves the way for unimaginable horrors. That is why the UK Government must respond with clarity and urgency. We must condemn Trump’s remarks as a potential call for ethnic cleansing and make it clear that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians will not be tolerated.
Trump’s comments reflect a view where Palestinian lives are disposable, where their history, culture, and homes can be wiped away for geopolitical ambitions. But forced displacement is not redevelopment; it is a war crime. Forcibly removing an entire population from its land, as outlined in Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, is a grave breach of international law. The Convention specifically prohibits forced transfer of populations under occupation, and we have seen throughout history what happens when the world fails to call out such threats for what they are.
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These words do not exist in a vacuum, and must be understood in the context of mounting evidence of the threat of genocide in Gaza occurring over the last year. Israel, as the occupying power in Gaza, has an obligation under international law to protect the population and ensure their welfare — not to forcibly displace them or destroy their homes. Yet we have already seen Israeli ministers openly discuss plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza permanently. Right-wing voices have endorsed mass expulsion as a “solution” to the crisis in Gaza. Settlers in the West Bank continue to attack Palestinian communities with impunity. By failing to denounce such actions, the UK risks enabling this ongoing cycle of violence and injustice.
The UK Government must respond to this moment with urgency and moral clarity. We cannot allow such dangerous rhetoric to derail the fragile progress toward peace. The next stage of the ceasefire process is vital, and we must ensure no external provocations jeopardise the lives of innocent civilians. The international community, including the UK, must redouble its efforts to maintain a lasting ceasefire, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in desperate need, and hold all parties accountable for violations of international law.
We must also be clear that the United States, as a global leader, has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights. Trump’s comments are a stark reminder of the dangers of abandoning these principles. The US must remain committed to international law and work constructively with the international community to support a just and lasting peace in the region.
But condemnation of Trump’s remarks alone is not enough. For too long, the UK Government has spoken about Palestinian statehood as something that may happen one day, if conditions are right. That delay must end. The recognition of Palestinian statehood is long overdue, and it must happen now.
The UK cannot claim to support a two-state solution while refusing to recognise one of those states. Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip; it is a right. Without it, Palestinians may be left in a permanent state of occupation and subjugation, with no political power, no protection under international law, and no path to justice.
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More than 140 countries have already recognised Palestine. The UK must stop dragging its feet and join them. Recognition alone won’t bring peace overnight, but it is a crucial step in ensuring Palestinians have a political voice and putting pressure on the Israeli government to negotiate in good faith.
For too long the UK has been hesitant, cautious and reluctant to take bold action when it comes to Palestinian rights. This has to change. We must make it clear that any plan to displace Palestinians will never be accepted. We must push for the immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood. And we must do everything in our power to ensure inflammatory comments do not derail the fragile progress toward peace.
The UK government must take a stand. The Palestinian people have suffered long enough. Their rights, their dignity, and their very existence must not be up for debate.