Trump Renews Call for Palestinian Expulsion from Gaza in White House Meeting with Netanyahu

Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, April 8, 2025, where he explicitly reiterated his controversial proposal for the permanent expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Speaking to reporters assembled in the historic Oval Office, Mr. Trump, flanked by Vice President JD Vance and several top Cabinet officials, articulated a vision for the besieged territory that centers on American control and ownership.

Mr. Trump described the Gaza Strip in starkly economic terms, referring to it as “an incredible piece of important real estate.” He asserted his desire for the United States to ultimately own and control this coastal territory, which has been the subject of intense conflict for decades.

Trump’s Proposal for Gaza’s Future

The former president outlined his proposed solution for the future of Gaza, suggesting that a United States presence would be beneficial. He stated unequivocally that a U.S. peace force “controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing.” This remark signals a significant and potentially unprecedented shift in proposed U.S. policy regarding the territory, suggesting direct American administration rather than traditional peacekeeping roles or support for local governance structures.

The proposal goes hand-in-hand with Mr. Trump’s view on the fate of the Palestinian population currently residing in Gaza. He suggested relocating the Palestinian people currently in the territory, indicating they could be moved “around to different countries.” He claimed that numerous countries would be willing to accept them, though he did not specify which nations he had in mind or the potential mechanisms for such a large-scale population transfer.

Context of the Meeting

The meeting between Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu took place against a backdrop of ongoing tensions in the region and intense international debate over the future of Gaza and its population. Mr. Netanyahu’s visit to the White House to meet with the former U.S. president highlights the continued close relationship between the two political figures, even after Mr. Trump’s departure from office. The presence of Vice President Vance and other senior Cabinet officials underscored the significance of the discussion, indicating it involved high-level engagement on critical foreign policy matters.

The Oval Office setting provided a symbolic stage for Mr. Trump to voice his perspectives on one of the world’s most complex and sensitive geopolitical issues. His remarks were delivered directly to members of the press, ensuring wide dissemination of his views on the future of Gaza and the Palestinians.

Implications of the Statements

The explicit call for the permanent expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the suggestion of U.S. ownership and control represent a significant departure from established international diplomatic norms and previous U.S. foreign policy positions, which have generally supported a two-state solution or other frameworks involving Palestinian self-determination within defined territories. The idea of transferring an entire population from one territory to multiple other countries is a concept that raises profound questions under international law and humanitarian principles.

Mr. Trump’s characterization of Gaza solely as valuable “real estate” overlooks the humanitarian crisis affecting its more than two million residents and the deep historical and cultural ties Palestinians have to the land. His vision of a U.S.-controlled territory policed by an American peace force suggests a long-term military and administrative commitment that would be logistically and politically challenging.

The former president’s remarks during the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu are likely to resonate widely, drawing strong reactions from international bodies, human rights organizations, and governments across the globe. While the meeting was with a former president, the setting and the presence of current U.S. officials lend gravity to the statements, placing them firmly within the realm of significant political discourse regarding the future of the Middle East.

The reiteration of these controversial proposals by a former U.S. president in a high-profile meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister underscores the enduring nature of these ideas within certain political circles and signals a potential direction for future policy discussions, depending on political developments.