Friends,
Let’s get one thing clear: The United States has no right to push two million people out of Gaza – and would be committing a war crime if it did so.
Yesterday, Donald Trump floated the outrageous proposal that the US take over the Gaza Strip and force out its two million war-weary residents – dressing up ethnic cleansing as a real estate proposal with Netanyahu grinning glibly by his side.
“This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” right-wing, pro-war extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir responded.
I can’t think of anything more horrific.
If you’re able, please join me today at 4pm Eastern for an emergency briefing as I discuss this unhinged thought-bubble masquerading as policy with Tal Shalev and Frank Lowenstein. Click here to register via Zoom >>
Not only may Trump’s lunacy bring down the fragile ceasefire that’s keeping millions of civilians safe, but it almost certainly puts the lives of the remaining hostages immediately at greater risk.
As security experts have already warned, it’s a potent recruiting tool for anti-Israel and anti-American terror groups. For a president who campaigned on ‘America First’ this is anything but.
US boots on the ground in direct confrontation with Hamas? Abandoning the hostages and torching the ceasefire? The forced expulsion of 2 million people from the land they call home?
It’s an ultra right-wing fever dream. An unworkable fantasy and a recipe for endless, devastating conflict. Locking in Israel’s global isolation and smashing Israel’s founding Jewish, democratic ideals.
Thankfully, this hugely irresponsible, illegal and unworkable notion has already been rejected by any and all potential partners in the region.
But Trump’s unhinged ideas are often cover for other dark plans. We’re deeply worried this is going to provide the pretext for right-wing forces in the Israeli government to sabotage the ceasefire and reignite the war – and set the stage for more news next week about the West Bank and potential annexation.
This has real meaning for Israelis and Jews around the world – all of whom will now be subject to the fallout. More hate, more condemnation.
Some will defend the indefensible and cry antisemitism when the criticism comes. Others will join the growing chorus of Jews washing their hands of Israel altogether.
At J Street, we will call this plan out for what it is. We will oppose it with all our strength. We will make clear that the overwhelming majority of American Jews stand against this cruelty and madness – and we’ll rally pro-Israel policymakers to do the same.
We cannot let Trump, Netanyahu and their anti-democratic allies transform “pro-Israel” into anti-Palestinian, anti-human rights and anti-international law.
Please join me today at 4pm Eastern to discuss the political, diplomatic and real-world ramifications that this proposal is already having at home and in the region – regardless of whether the White House is actually intent on operationalizing it.
Register here to join us this afternoon >>
Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
