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European leaders on Wednesday firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and for the United States to "take over" the enclave.
The remarks came after Trump’s controversial statement during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, where he suggested that Gaza should be redeveloped under U.S. administration.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly condemned the proposal, stressing that Gaza, like the West Bank and East Jerusalem, belongs to Palestinians.
"Forcibly expelling civilians would violate international law and fuel further hatred," Baerbock said. She also reaffirmed that the U.N., EU, and G7 consistently oppose Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories.
The French Foreign Ministry echoed this stance, stating that Gaza must remain part of a future Palestinian state under the Palestinian Authority’s governance.
"France reiterates its opposition to any forced displacement of the Palestinian population, which would be a serious violation of international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution," the ministry said in a statement.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also dismissed Trump’s remarks, asserting that Palestinians "must be allowed home, must be allowed to rebuild, and we should support them on the path to a two-state solution."
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares firmly rejected the idea of U.S. control over Gaza, emphasizing that "Gaza is the land of the Palestinian Gazans. The Palestinian Gazans must stay in Gaza."
Similarly, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna compared the issue to Ukraine, stating:
"You can’t decide about Palestine without the Palestinians—just as you can’t decide about Ukraine without Ukrainians."
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon criticized Trump’s comments, calling them a "deep misunderstanding of Palestinian history" and warning that such proposals could "lead to further unrest and violence."
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement underscoring that forcibly transferring or deporting people from occupied territory breaches international law.
"The right to self-determination is fundamental and must be protected by all states. Any forcible transfer or deportation from occupied territory is strictly prohibited," said U.N. High Commissioner Volker Turk.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) condemned Trump’s proposal, describing it as "a grotesque plan for mass ethnic cleansing."
"This is a blueprint for a crime of historic proportions," the organization stated, adding that such actions would violate the Geneva Convention’s prohibition on forced displacement.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly opposed the plan, reiterating that "Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land, alongside the West Bank and East Jerusalem."
"No one has the right to decide the future of Palestinians except the Palestinian people themselves," Abbas stated.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, also condemned the proposal, warning that it would "only pour oil on the fire" and escalate tensions in the region.
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