'This is ethnic cleansing': Trump faces backlash over Gaza proposal
US President Donald Trump is facing widespread criticism and accusations of proposing ethnic cleansing after stating that he would like to “just clean out” Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population to neighbouring countries.
Speaking aboard Air Force One during a flight from Las Vegas to Miami on Saturday, Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested moving its residents to Jordan and Egypt.
“I’d like Egypt to take people. I’d like Jordan to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing.”
He added that the move could be either temporary or long-term, saying, “something has to happen”.
Trump said he had raised the idea with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned to discuss it with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Sunday.
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Jordan and Egypt rejected the idea of displacing Palestinians, and Hamas condemned it, stating that Palestinians would “foil such projects,” as they have done to similar displacement proposals over the decades.
Online, Trump’s remarks quickly drew sharp criticism, with many accusing him of endorsing ethnic cleansing.
In a video posted on Instagram, a Palestinian woman said: “We’re willing to die on our land. We won’t leave it. This is the proof right in front of Trump’s eyes. Tell the whole world: we’re ready to die on our land."
"Our land is our honour. Trump is dreaming if he thinks any of us will go to Egypt or Jordan,” she continued in the voiceover of a clip filmed from the Netzarim corridor in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians can be seen returning to their destroyed homes in the north.
"It's looking very bleak for the Palestinians now. I've been saying from the beginning of this slaughter that Netanyahu would use it to evict the remaining Palestinians & seize what land they have left," historian William Dalrymple posted on social media.
"With Trump now openly voicing ethnic cleansing, the tragedy reaches its climax."
Social media users said Trump appeared to endorse the policies of several Israeli officials and politicians who have called for the transfer of Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt throughout the war - which have been condemned as support for “ethnic cleansing” by rights groups.
"President Trump explicitly endorses the ethnic cleansing of Gazans and says that it 'could be' long term. This sounds a lot like what elements in the Israeli govt have been floating for decades," said one user on X (formerly Twitter).
One social media account said Trump "got to the ethnic cleansing in record time," while another stated that "he has literally backed ethnic cleansing just 5 days after becoming president".
Donald Trump wants to empty Gaza of its Palestinian population.
— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) January 26, 2025
This is ethnic cleansing.
It's not subtle. It's not even slightly disguised.
It's loud and proud support for an obscene war crime. https://t.co/WVXOonQ8LZ
Others echoed the sentiment, with one commenter stating: “‘Clean out’ is barely even a euphemism. This is ethnic cleansing, call it what it is.”
'Unwilling to report facts'
Trump’s remarks also ignited a backlash over western media reporting of Trump's statement, with many accusing media outlets of downplaying the gravity of the president’s words.
“Does no one in the media know what it’s called when you ‘clean out’ an ethnic group and expel them from their land?” one commenter asked, adding: "Trump Calls for Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians From Gaza," that is your headline.”
Does no one in the media know what it’s called when you “clean out” an ethnic group and expel them from their land?
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) January 26, 2025
“Trump Calls For Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians From Gaza,” that is your headline. pic.twitter.com/tPPFTZSvR9
Another criticised the Associated Press (AP) for what they saw as normalisation of Trump’s comments, arguing that its coverage reflected “corporate media whitewashing & normalising [of a] fascist idea”.
Hmm I wonder if there’s a term for cleansing an ethnic group from an area? https://t.co/m7LRonMCvW
— Kevin Trahan (@k_trahan) January 26, 2025
BBC reporter Jon Donnison also faced scrutiny for his response to how Palestinians reacted to Trump’s remarks, where he stated, “for many Palestinians, well that will just sound like ethnic cleansing.”
One journalist responded: "It is ethnic cleansing... Call it what it is. You are a journalist, act like one."
Trump's incoming administration has pledged "unwavering support" for Israel but has not yet outlined a broader Middle East strategy.
Middle East Eye has reached out to the White House for response.
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