Politics | Feb 8th 2025 Edition
During a visit by Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, to the White House Donald Trump suggested that the 2m Palestinians in Gaza should be “permanently” resettled in neighbouring countries and that there should be a full American takeover of the strip. Mr Trump said the enclave could be developed into the “riviera of the Middle East”. Egypt and Jordan retorted that they would not host displaced Palestinians. The UN warned deportations would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing and breach international law. Saudi Arabia rejected the suggestion and reaffirmed its support for a Palestinian state. Mr Netanyahu said the idea was “worth paying attention to”. Israel’s far-right welcomed the plan.
