“Bipartisan Lawmakers Criticize Trump’s Gaza Proposal as ‘Deranged’ and ‘Problematic'”

On Tuesday night, Trump stated that the U.S. would “take control of Gaza” and deploy troops “if necessary.”

After a bilateral discussion at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United States declared its intention to assume long-term control of the war-torn Gaza Strip. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, described the plan as “problematic,” saying that his supporters would not be thrilled with the idea of deploying American troops to occupy Gaza. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., slammed the proposal as “deranged” and “nuts,” calling American military presence in the region “a magnet for trouble.” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said there were “a few kinks in that slinky,” but he said it would not happen.

Following a private discussion at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump made his plan public. After previously declaring that Palestinians had no other option and would not “want” to return to the region after the Israel-Hamas conflict, he said that the United States plans to assume “long-term ownership” of the war-torn Gaza Strip. Trump envisioned many people living in the area and that it could become “the Riviera of the Middle East.” Netanyahu called the move something that could “change history” and said it was a “worthwhile” proposal that should be explored.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware was shocked by Trump’s remarks, saying that he was speechless and that any positive outcome is less likely. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel, said the proposal failed to address Palestinians’ concerns and that it was not in America’s best interest. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, called the proposal “ethnic cleansing” and “fanatical bull.”