Trump proposes Palestinian resettlement in Africa amid controversy
US President Donald Trump proposed resettling Palestinians in additional African nations, according to Israeli news channel Channel 12 and the British newspaper "The Telegraph". The proposal involves Morocco and two regions of Somalia - Somaliland and Puntland. In return, the Americans intend to offer them support.
President Donald Trump of the United States presented a proposal to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to several African countries. In exchange for accepting the refugees, Morocco might receive support from the United States regarding its claims to Western Sahara.
Meanwhile, Somaliland and Puntland - officially regions of Somalia - would have the opportunity for recognition of their independence.
According to "The Telegraph", Israel's Consul General in the USA, Israel Bachar, confirmed that three locations are being considered for the resettlement of Palestinians.
Puntland's Deputy Minister of Information, Yacob Mohamed Abdalla, expressed readiness to accept the refugees, provided they choose to do so voluntarily. "There is no reason to deport someone from his country to another country without that person choosing to move," Abdalla emphasised.
Controversial plans
Trump's proposals emerged after a prior announcement about plans to "take over" the Gaza Strip and transform it into "The Middle East Riviera." This idea was presented during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, D.C.
Trump's previous calls for the relocation of Palestinians were met with refusals from Egypt, Jordan, and Libya. Media reports also emerged about considering the resettlement of approximately 100,000 Palestinians to Albania and Indonesia.
Deliberate choice
The United States considers Morocco a potential relocation site because the country normalised relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. Unlike Algeria or Libya, Morocco has not imposed entry bans on Israeli passport holders. The kingdom has also strengthened ties with the US, purchasing arms and seeking support in its conflict with Algeria.
Somaliland and Puntland, though not internationally recognised as independent states, hope for recognition of their independence by the USA. Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and is seen as more stable than the rest of Somalia. Puntland, although it hasn't openly pursued sovereignty, announced in March of last year its desire to function as a separate entity from Somalia.
