J Street Horrified by Trump’s Proposal for US-Backed Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza

February 5, 2025

Washington, DC – In response to President Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of Gaza and forcibly displace 2 million residents, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami said the following: 

J Street cannot express strongly enough our opposition to the ideas being put forward by President Trump regarding Gaza. 

There aren’t adequate words to express our disgust at the notion of forcibly displacing millions of war-weary Palestinians with the backing of the United States of America. The President is proposing ethnic cleansing disguised as a real estate development.

With his words and actions, President Trump is setting new levels of irresponsibility and illegality – not simply on issues relating to Israel and Palestine but across the board – as he looks to take apart our government, our democracy and the rule of law in this country.

We call on leaders around the world, political leaders in this country and, of course, Jewish communal leaders, to express in no uncertain terms that these proposals are absolutely unacceptable. They violate US laws, international law and our values. 

We are also deeply concerned that Trump’s reckless words may sabotage a fragile ceasefire and hostage deal and amount to a death sentence for hostages still held by Hamas. Pro-war forces in Israel seeking to sabotage the ceasefire from within are already celebrating.

The President’s unworkable, unhinged thought bubble will now also provide cover for the pursuit of the right-wing’s wildest fantasies that we have long warned about: Bringing down the ceasefire and reigniting the war. Endless occupation, settlements in Gaza, and gradual forced Palestinian displacement and a clear path to annexation. 

Hostage families condemned to endless anguish. Violence engulfing Gaza, the West Bank and beyond, endangering Israelis and Palestinians alike. Israel and its leaders subjected to more protests, court cases and isolation around the world. Further erosion of Israel’s founding Jewish, democratic ideals.

The danger of this moment to the US and to the world cannot be overstated. The abdication of responsibility by Republicans in Congress to fulfill their responsibility to check an out of control executive is one of the greatest failures of leadership in US history. It cannot stand.

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