Bishop describes Trump’s “inconceivable” intention to displace the population of Gaza

The auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem and Patriarchal Vicar for Palestine, Mons. William Shomali, described as “inconceivable” the proposal of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, of displacing, against his will, to the population of Gaza to other countries.

Cited by the Italian Sir agencythe prelate responded to Trump’s statements on Tuesday in which he said that the United States would take control of the Gaza Strip to rebuild it and turn it into the “Riviera de Middle East”, installing the Gazaties in other countries such as Egypt and Jordan .

This possibility had already been rejected on February 1 For both countries, together with Catar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The Arab nations warned that evicing the Palestinians of Gaza, under any circumstance or justification, would put regional stability at risk. They also pointed out that the strip should go to the Palestinian authority.

Trump was asked on Tuesday if he would use the force to get the population out of the strip. The president replied that if the Palestinians had the opportunity to leave, “they would love” to do it.

For Mons. Shomali “it is inconceivable to think about moving, against their will, to a people, as well as it is unthinkable to force another state to host it.”

“A part of the inhabitants of Gaza wants to leave freely and voluntarily and if Egypt, Jordan and other countries want to host them, there is no problem. It is a free and conscious choice of both parties, ”he added.

The prelate also referred to Trump’s argument that it is necessary premises cited by the United Nations.

They must add the more than 111,000 injured and 11,000 missing, according to these figures.

“If to rebuild Gaza it is necessary that (the area) is rebuilt, ”said the bishop.

“The right and freedom of a people should not be discussed to live in their own land and should not be forced to abandon it,” he added.

For the auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem, the intention of Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamín Netanyahu, is to build settlements in the 360 ​​-square -kilometer square strip and allow “only a small part of Palestinians the possibility of returning”.

According to Monsignor Shomali, Trump’s statements imply which are “their intentions regarding the future of Gaza”, although Egypt and Jordan have rejected “this plan that would foresee a massive exodus of Palestinians,” he said.

The prelate said that “it is different to accept vulnerable, elderly, sick families, but not a population of more than two million people.”

According to the organization Open doorsof the nearly one thousand Christians who inhabited the strip, there are only 650 people left in Gaza.

The bishop indicated that Trump’s intentions also endanger Resolution 181 of the UN of 1947, which contemplates the creation of an Israeli State and another Palestinian in the territory of what was the British mandate of Palestine.

“Trump and Netanyahu never talk about UN resolutions and the solution of two villages, two states. Trump cannot take the place of the United Nations, ”said Mons. Shomali.

“I think this is the central point of the matter: will there be a Palestinian state, yes or no? The conflict arises from this question without an answer. Everyone talks about it, even Trump, but without going into details about a fair and sustainable solution. The Palestinian State, for the two leaders of the United States and Israel, remains a vague principle, ”he added.

The Prelate expressed his desire to continue the truce between Israel and Hamas, but clarified that even the exchange of hostages and prisoners does not solve the underlying problem, which is “the possession of this land.”

“The solution is the solution of two states,” he concluded.