Key Takeaways:

• The US and Israel are seeking to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in East Africa.
• Countries approached include Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, all of which have rejected the proposal.
• The plan has faced significant backlash from Arab nations and human rights groups.
• Trump’s resettlement vision has been met with widespread condemnation as it raises legal and moral concerns.

The United States and Israel have engaged three East African nations to discuss a controversial plan for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza. This initiative seeks to relocate Gaza's population, exceeding two million, following an ongoing military conflict that has devastated the enclave. The targets for potential resettlement include Sudan, Somalia, and the unrecognized territory of Somaliland.

Despite the U.S. and Israel's attempts to foster discussions around this plan, officials from Sudan have outright rejected the proposal, stating, "This suggestion was immediately rebuffed," according to sources. Moreover, officials from Somalia and Somaliland indicated they were unaware of any diplomatic overtures on the matter, indicating a lack of support from local leaders and citizens. A Somali politician, Mohamed Mohamed Elmi Afrah, voiced this sentiment, stating that the resettlement plan would not receive unanimous support from the Somali populace or government.

The inception of the idea can be traced back to a recent presentation by President Donald Trump, characterized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “bold vision.” Trump's plan entails the United States taking ownership of Gaza and transforming it into a real estate development project, a proposal met with significant international condemnation. Arab nations have collectively opposed the resettlement concept, opting instead for a reconstruction plan that prioritizes leaving Palestinians in their homeland.

The moral implications of relocating an already vulnerable population are stark and have been highlighted by numerous rights organizations, raising concerns that such actions could constitute war crimes under international law. The continued push for this plan has sparked outrage and fears among Palestinians and their allies of forced displacement, undermining ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region.

More details from The Jakarta Post.