Gaza is Not for Sale

Ten days ago, when Donald Trump announced that the United States “will take over the Gaza Strip,” most of the world was shocked, and wondered if this were simply another ridiculous Trump fantasy. He said the United States would “level the site,” have all Palestinians removed, and enable people “from all over the world [to] be there” to enjoy a riviera of the Middle East.

Although it appeared like an early Valentine's Day lovefest between two authoritarian wannabe leaders – Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu – for the Palestinian people it was another vivid example of contempt for their dignity and lives.

In recent days Trump has doubled down on his call for the ethnic cleansing of over two million Palestinians as part of his proposed US land grab. The entire concept is a flagrant violation of international law. Sadly, there has been little resistance among Democrats to this outrageous proposal. Trump (and Netanyahu) are now threatening another military escalation should the ceasefire breakdown.

The immediate situation remains precarious and the long-term prospects, which didn't look good before Trump's call for renewed US colonialism, are dire. Despite that grim picture, people of goodwill continue to support the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and freedom. We have been doing so since long before Trump entered the political arena, and we will keep doing so after he is gone.

Andy Mager