Trump’s Gaza Displacement Plan: A New Balfour Declaration?

Watan-More than a hundred years have passed since the infamous Balfour Declaration, in which Britain pledged to establish a national homeland for Jews on Palestinian land, disregarding the existence of the indigenous people.

Today, former U.S. President Donald Trump is reviving the project of forcibly displacing Palestinians—this time from Gaza—in a plan aimed at emptying the enclave completely, amid a shameful Arab silence and weak responses from some nations that have opened their doors to the U.S.-Israeli scheme.

After months of intense Israeli bombardment that destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands, Trump has introduced a new plan to relocate the population to neighboring Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt, and possibly Saudi Arabia.

This plan involves the complete displacement of Gaza’s residents under the pretext of reconstruction, offering financial incentives to countries willing to accept them. Meanwhile, Gaza would be transformed into an investment zone, funded by Gulf states and placed under U.S.-Israeli administration.

Despite the fact that forced displacement of Palestinians constitutes a war crime under international law, the Arab response has appeared weaker than ever.

Reports indicate that some countries have not outright rejected the plan but have instead engaged in political maneuvering, waiting to see how events unfold. Jordan, which for years opposed resettlement, now appears to be shifting its stance under U.S. pressure.

King Abdullah II, who recently met with Trump, has not issued a firm rejection of the plan but hinted that his position depends on Egypt’s stance. As for Egypt, which has publicly opposed the scheme, Western reports suggest that President Sisi’s regime may be more open to discussing aspects of the plan, particularly given Egypt’s ongoing economic struggles.

There is no doubt that this plan is not merely a temporary solution to the humanitarian crisis but part of a broader strategy to permanently eliminate the Palestinian cause.

Trump seeks to resolve the Palestinian refugee issue by granting them new nationalities and stripping them of their right to return. At the same time, he aims to give Israel complete control over Gaza, eliminating any resistance or future threats.

The U.S. administration also envisions economic and tourism projects in Gaza that would benefit American and Israeli companies while leaving Palestinians stateless and displaced.

Historically, Palestinians have rejected all colonial schemes aimed at uprooting them from their land. Even with Arab governments showing weakness, both popular and armed resistance remain the first line of defense against the Zionist project.

As talk of a new “Balfour Declaration” promoted by Trump gains momentum, the question remains: Will Arabs and Palestinians act to prevent a new catastrophe, or will this plan go forward just as it did more than a century ago?