At his first joint press conference with another head of state, President Donald Trump shocked the audience by announcing his own solution for Gaza—having its residents leave the area, allowing America to take over and transform it into a new global hub for development, prosperity, and growth.
Israel National News
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening held a press conference following their meeting at the White House.
President Trump began the press conference and said that he is delighted to welcome Netanyahu back to the White House.
“We had fantastic talks. He’s the first foreign head of state to visit during our administration. Bibi, it’s an honor to have you with us,” he added, addressing Netanyahu directly.
Noting his accomplishments during his previous term in office, Trump expressed hope that additional countries will join the Abraham Accords.
“I really believe that many countries will soon be joining this amazing peace and economical development transaction. I think we’re going to have a lot of people signing up very quickly.”
“In our meetings today, the Prime Minister and I focused on the future, discussing how we can work together to ensure Hamas is eliminated and, ultimately, restore peace to a very troubled region,” said Trump.
On Gaza, the President once again spoke of his plan to relocate Gazans to several sites where they will be “able to live in comfort and peace”.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we’ll own it, and be responsible for dismantling all the dangerous and unexploded bombs and other weapons, and get rid of the destroyed buildings, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
Netanyahu told Trump, “I’m honored that you invited me to be the first foreign leader to visit the White House in your second term. This is a testament to your friendship and support for the Jewish state and the Jewish people. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again: You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
“In the first days of your second term, you picked up right where you left off. Your leadership helped bring our hostages home, among them American citizens, you freed up munitions that were withheld from Israel in the midst of a seven-front war for our existence. You ended unjust sanctions against law-abiding Israeli citizens. You boldly confronted the scourge of antisemitism. You stopped funding international organizations like UNRWA that support terrorists, and today you renewed the maximum pressure campaign against Iran. All this in just two weeks. Can you imagine where we’ll be in four years? I can. I know you can, Mr. President.”
Netanyahu noted Israel’s accomplishments since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and noted that “we must finish the job”.
He then told Trump, “I believe that your willingness to puncture conventional thinking, your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas, will help us achieve all these goals. You see things others refuse to see. You say things others refuse to say, and after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and say, ‘You know what? He’s right.’”
“Israel will end the war by winning the war. Israel’s victory will be America’s victory. With your leadership, Mr. President, and our partnership, I believe that we will forge a brilliant future for our region and bring our great alliance to even greater heights.”
Responding to a question on normalization with Saudi Arabia, Trump said, “They want peace in the Middle East. It’s very simple. They want peace in the Middle East.”
On the ceasefire and hostage deal, Trump said, “I can’t tell you whether or not the ceasefire will hold. We’ve gotten quite a few hostages out. We’re going to get more out, but we’re dealing with very complicated people. We hope [the agreement] holds.”
Responding to a question from Israel National News on whether he supports Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, Trump said, “We’re discussing that with many of your representatives, and people do like the idea but we haven’t taken a position on it yet. We’ll be making an announcement, probably on that very specific topic, over the next four weeks.”
Trump also said that he plans to visit Israel, Gaza Saudi Arabia and “other places all over the Middle East” though he did not specify when.
Asked who envisions living in Gaza after his plan is implemented, “The world’s people. I think you’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place. I think representatives from all over the world will live there. Palestinians will live there, many people will live there.”
VIDEO:
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/economy/1693292330-israel-examines-construction-of-gas-pipeline-to-turkey
Offer Turkey a larger share of gas revenues, and they will get on board. The Transjordanians, known now as Palestinians elected Hamas in Gaza, who started the Gaza War on Oct 7, 2023. Israel, as the victor of the Gaza War, is entitled to the spoils of war, which is Gazan territory. Israel may assign their rights to Gaza to the US. The US may use eminent domain to develop the blighted neighborhood called Gaza. If allowed to choose, Palestinians will emigrate for quality of life issues, just like the migrants in other parts of the world do. Let Ireland, Turkey and S Africa show how much they care about the Palis by opening their borders to them.
Look, I get that some ppl are saying that its good that the U.S. would just “take over” Gaza to fix the situation, but honestly that flies in the face of what the Rebbe taught. I believe he was always clear that yidden need to stand on its own two feet in Eretz Yisroel, without giving control to foreign governments. Relying on outsiders, especially a superpower like the U.S., just goes against that whole vision of self-reliance and the holiness of our land.
I believe this is coming from a very good place. But it is actually a horrific plan. Gaza will become an international entity run by the USA.
Everytime international entitys got involved (such and UNWRA) it never turned out well. Even though Trump sounds like he has a good plan, he is only president for four years. What will happen when the next president comes and is not such good friends with Israel??
The only way is the Rebbe’s way. Israel must be strong! Hold on to every piece of holy land it has and govern it with no fear!
The Rebbe was very clear in his message to Israeli leaders, urging them to remain firm in their decisions, especially concerning the land of Israel. When Israeli leaders falter, it creates an opening for foreign powers like U.S. presidents to step in and make their own decisions about the future of Eretz Yisroel. From Trump’s perspective, his actions – align with what he believes is best for Eretz Yisroel, especially when Israeli leadership isn’t standing as strong as the Rebbe would have hoped.
The Rebbe critiqued Israeli leaders for not being resolute, not for responding to pressure from abroad. If Israeli leaders are not standing firm, it’s understandable that other nations may feel they need to act. However, it’s important to remember that true sovereignty requires a consistent, unwavering stance from the leadership of Israel itself.
In a sharp conversation with Mr. Moshe Katzav 10 Shvat 5752, the Rebbe mentions that if the Israeli government cannot withstand pressure and signs to give portions of Eretz Yisroel to the Arabs, then rather that the government be dissolved, and the shouldn’t be a Jewish government in Israel. Rather there should be G-d forbid a gentile government in Israel, and they should decide what to do with the land. At least there shouldn’t be Jews signing on such agreements…
Perhaps this is what we are witnessing today, gentile governments taking control of what Israel wasn’t able to! Without a better alternative, perhaps this is what has to happen (R”L).