Trump’s shock proposal to rebuild Gaza and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East” triggered a flurry of condemnations in the Middle East and deep reservations among US allies.
SAUDI ARABIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
“Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed the kingdom’s position clearly and explicitly that does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances.”
JORDANIAN ROYAL COURT
“His Majesty King Abdullah II stresses the need to put a stop to (Israeli) settlement expansion, expressing rejection of any attempts to annex land and displace the Palestinians.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER
“They (Palestinians) must be allowed home, they must be allowed to rebuild, and we should be with them in that rebuild on the way to a two-state solution.”
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK
Baerbock said the Gaza Strip belongs to Palestinians and their expulsion would be unacceptable and contrary to international law.
“It would also lead to new suffering and new hatred…There must be no solution over the heads of the Palestinians.”
FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON CHRISTOPHE LEMOINE
“France reiterates its opposition to any forced displacement of the Palestinian population of Gaza, which would constitute a serious violation of international law, an attack on the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, but also a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a major destabilizing factor for our close partners Egypt and Jordan as well as for the entire region.”
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE MANUEL ALBARES
“I want to be very clear on this: Gaza is the land of Gazan Palestinians and they must stay in Gaza. Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state Spain supports and has to coexist guaranteeing the Israeli state’s prosperity and safety.”
EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BADR ABDELATTY
Abdelatty discussed with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa the importance of moving forward with recovery projects in Gaza without Palestinians leaving the territory.
KREMLIN SPOKESMAN DMITRY PESKOV
Russia believes a settlement in the Middle East is only possible based on a two-state solution. “This is the thesis that is enshrined in the relevant U.N. Security Council resolution, this is the thesis that is shared by the overwhelming majority of countries involved in this problem. We proceed from it, we support it and believe that this is the only possible option.”
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
“China hopes all parties will take ceasefire and post-conflict governance as an opportunity to bring the Palestinian issue back on the right track of political settlement based on the two-state solution.”
TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN
Trump’s comments on a plan to take over Gaza are “unacceptable”. Any plans leaving Palestinians “out of the equation” would lead to more conflict.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE
“It is crucial that we move towards the next phase of the ceasefire, to release all hostages and arbitrarily detained prisoners, end the war, and reconstruct Gaza, with full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
“Any forcible transfer in or deportation of people from occupied territory is strictly prohibited.”
SENIOR IRANIAN OFFICIAL
“Iran does not agree with any displacement of Palestinians and has communicated this through various channels.”
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE
“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.”
