Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly opposed former US President Donald Trump’s plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza, calling it unacceptable and historically ignorant.
Speaking at a late-night press conference in Istanbul, before leaving for Malaysia, Erdogan stated:
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“No one has the power to remove the people of Gaza from their eternal homeland that has been around for thousands of years.”
He further emphasized:
“Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem belong to the Palestinians.”
Trump’s Controversial Plan Sparks Global Outrage
The proposal, announced by Trump during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested that the US would take control of Gaza and redevelop it after clearing unexploded bombs and rubble.
Netanyahu welcomed the plan, calling it:
“The first good idea that I’ve heard” on what to do with Gaza.
However, the Arab and Muslim world reacted with outrage, seeing it as an attempt to erase Palestinian identity and force displacement.
Turkey’s Firm Stance on Palestinian Rights
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in an interview with Palestinian television, also dismissed the idea of forcing Gazans to leave their homeland.
He stated:
“The displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable.”
Calling Trump’s proposal “historically ignorant”, he reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for Palestinian sovereignty.
Trump’s Vision for Gaza Met With Skepticism
Trump did not elaborate on how he planned to relocate over two million Palestinians but expressed confidence in redeveloping the region.
During his speech, he said:
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it.”
Despite Trump’s claims that he could turn Gaza into something “unbelievable”, critics argue that forcibly removing its residents is not a solution and violates international law.
Growing International Criticism
Erdogan’s rejection of the plan adds to the growing international backlash against the US-Israel proposal.
As global opposition mounts, the fate of Gaza and its people remains a deeply contested issue, with Turkey and other nations vowing to defend Palestinian rights against foreign intervention.
