Don’t Believe What Trump Says About Gaza
At face value, Trump’s statements on Gaza are absurdly outlandish. But one should be wary about taking Trump at face value.
President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip has raised questions over the future of the Israeli-Palestine conflict and America’s involvement in the region. The suggestion, made at the White House in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conflicts with Trump’s campaign promise of avoiding foreign interventions and ending forever wars. Yet the sincerity of the suggestion deserves scrutiny, given Trump’s tendency to speak off the cuff.
What Trump Said
What Trump said has profound implications, so the precise quote is worth examining: “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out. Create an economic development that will supply [an] unlimited number of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
When a reporter asked Trump whether he intended for the US to permanently occupy Gaza Trump answered: “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East.”
Trump continued: “We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal. And I don’t want to be cute. I don’t want to be a wise guy. But the riviera of the Middle East, this could be something that could be so—this could be so magnificent.”
What Trump Meant
At face value, Trump’s statements on Gaza are absurdly outlandish. The notion that the United States would wholesale expel the Gazan people from their homes for the sake of a top-down, national-level makeover is farcical. The logistics would be monumental. So would the costs—both fiscally and politically. The upside, with respect to direct U.S. interests, would be minimal.
But one should be wary about taking Trump at face value. The second-term president has a tendency to talk off the cuff, winging public remarks in a way that, prior to 2017, was unprecedented for a commander-in-chief. Trump also may be the world’s most talented troll; his comments may be calculated to irritate someone. It’s hard to say. But the point is: don’t expect Trump to invade Gaza just because he said he was going to invade Gaza.
Shouldn’t a president be more careful with his words? Probably, yes. But the public and the media need to learn to stop lending so much weight to each of Trump’s off-the-wall utterances.
Ending Forever Wars
Trump was very clear on the campaign trail: he intended to end forever wars, refocus American resources on domestic issues, and put America first. But Trump’s first few weeks in office have raised questions about his intentions; the new president has put out feelers about foreign interventions in Greenland, Panama, and now Gaza. Again, Trump’s statements are likely hot air. But the hot air of late has had a surprisingly interventionist flavor to it for someone elected on promises of focusing on the issues at home.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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