(NewsNation) — President Trump’s suggestion more than 2 million Palestinians be relocated permanently from Gaza is an attempt to clear the property for future development and enrich his family, a Democratic congressman says.
“We have to look at Trump’s motives,” U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas. “As always, when Trump proposes a policy item, there is a nepotistic, self-serving connection.”
Auchincloss said Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner and “probably” the royal family of Saudi Arabia view the Gaza Strip as “developable property.”
“They want to turn this into resorts,” the congressman said.
Beyond the potential for Trump to personally benefit, Auchincloss said, the president’s “reckless and unreasonable” proposal could scuttle Phase 2 of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to determine who governs Gaza.
“It’s not going to be Hamas. If it’s not going to be Hamas, that means it needs to be a transitional governance entity that is Arab-financed, Western-backed and consistent with Israeli security,” the congressman said.
“And that is the challenging question that Donald Trump should be tackling right now — not making ridiculous suggestions about population displacement.”
In a news conference, Trump said Gaza could be “the Riveria of the Middle East” after Palestinians are relocated. He said people of all nationalities, including Palestinians, could live in the redeveloped area.