West Bank? No, Judea and Samaria, Some Republicans Say., The New York Times
Trump’s return to power has emboldened right-wing lawmakers in the U.S. and Israel to push for West Bank annexation, including a bill to replace “West Bank” with “Judea and Samaria” in U.S. government documents. J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami warns, “That’s called annexation, which is not just illegal under international law, but the death knell for any hope of Israel normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia and the Sunni Arab world.”
‘Delivering Lasting Peace’ or ‘New Levels of Illegality’? U.S. Reacts to Trump’s Gaza Plan, Haaretz
J Street’s president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, said that his organization “cannot express strongly enough opposition to the ideas being put forward by President Trump regarding Gaza.” “There aren’t adequate words to express our disgust at the idea of forcible displacement of Palestinians with the assistance of the United States of America,” he said.
J Street Reaction To President Trump’s Comments On Gaza, Substack
J Street strongly opposes Trump’s Gaza proposal, calling it “absolutely unacceptable – legally and morally.” J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami warns that his actions threaten democracy, risk ending the ceasefire, and endanger hostages still held by Hamas.
A Dramatic Meeting for Our Future, The Times of Israel
As Netanyahu meets with Trump, he must choose between appeasing his far-right coalition or embracing a path toward regional normalization. J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Netanyahu can either be remembered as the most unsuccessful Prime Minister in Israel’s history… or as someone who is capable of rising from the ashes to accomplish the most significant diplomatic achievement since the signing of the peace agreements with Egypt.”
Trump Proposes US Takeover of Gaza and Says All Palestinians Should Leave, The New York Times
President Donald Trump proposed that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip, displace its 2.2 million Palestinian residents to countries like Egypt and Jordan, and redevelop the area into a prosperous region dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This proposal has been met with widespread international condemnation, with critics labeling it as ethnic cleansing and warning of potential regional destabilization.
Palestinian President Abbas on Trump’s Gaza Plan: ‘Severe Violation of Int’l Law’, Haaretz
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate its residents, denouncing it as a “serious violation of international law” and emphasizing that “legitimate Palestinian rights are not negotiable.” He asserted that only a two-state solution would bring peace and stability to the region.
Benjamin Netanyahu Vows to Restart War in Gaza, Financial Times
“We can’t leave Hamas there [in Gaza], because Hamas will continue the battle to destroy Israel . . . you can’t talk about peace . . . if this toxic murderous organisation is left standing,” the Israeli prime minister said at a White House press conference on Tuesday alongside the US president.
Global Reaction to Trump’s Gaza Strip Takeover Plan, Reuters
Most countries and have condemned Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza and relocate its residents, with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia firmly rejecting any forced displacement. European nations like the UK, France, and Germany, along with China and Australia, reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, calling the proposal a violation of international law.
Trump Signs Executive Order Calling for Review of US Funding and Ties to UN, The New York Times
Mr. Trump also withdrew the United States from the U.N.’s Human Rights Council and stopped funding the U.N. agency that aids Palestinians, UNRWA, which provides critical humanitarian assistance to millions of people in war-torn Gaza. Those moves were expected because Mr. Trump had withdrawn U.S. involvement from both organizations during his first term as president.
Euphoria and Fury: How Scenes of Returning Hostages Could Spark the Next Israeli-Palestinian War, Haaretz
Dahlia Scheindlin writes, “The presidential visit could result in a radical change of course – or Israel and Hamas might generate any reason to restart the war, soon or even after all hostages have been released and the war is supposed to end. Wars always start again around here. This scenario is a nightmare. But if the Israeli leadership and Hamas go back to fighting, there may be sufficient renewed fury among both publics to back them.”
Population Transfers Approved by America? It’s on the Table., The New York Times
Daniel Levy writes, “None of this offers a future of security for Israelis, either. They risk creating an even more destabilized environment for those neighbors being called on to absorb the relocated Palestinians, and the displacements would serve as a rallying cry and recruitment lure for resistance movements across the region.”