France, Europe slam Trump's 'Riviera' vision for Gaza as legally indefensible

RFI

5 February 2025 at 9:45 am·1-min read

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, 4 February, 2025.

France has joined a chorus of world leaders in their condemnation of US Presient Donald Trump’s controversial declaration that he intends to transform Gaza into a luxury resort, calling it reckless and legally indefensible.

US President Donald Trump’s proposal to transform the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into a luxurious “Riviera of the Middle East” has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic world, drawing swift and fierce criticism from European leaders.

Trump's plan involves the resettlement of Palestinians across the Middle East marks a dramatic departure from long-standing US policy, which has traditionally supported a two-state solution.

Unveiling his proposal at a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Trump painted a picture of Gaza as a thriving coastal paradise, where international communities could live in peace.

He insisted that regional powers such as Jordan and Egypt would ultimately support resettling Gaza’s two million residents elsewhere, despite their initial refusals.

“We’re going to help people live in harmony,” Trump stated, though he provided no concrete details on how such a massive relocation would unfold.

‘Violation of international law’

However, Trump’s ambitious and controversial idea has been met with widespread rejection, particularly in France and across Europe.

French officials were among the first to respond, slamming the proposal as reckless and legally indefensible.

(With newswires)

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‘Violation of international law’

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