President Donald Trump’s announcement Tuesday night that the United States will occupy the Gaza Strip sparked outrage and anxiety on both sides of the aisle.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., described the plan as problematic and stated that he does not believe his constituents would be enthusiastic about the idea of deploying American troops to take over Gaza.
“We’ll see what the Arab world has to say, but that would be problematic on a lot of different levels,” Graham stated.
Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, denounced the plan as insane and crazy, claiming that the US military’s presence in the area is a surefire way to cause conflict.
Kaine, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated, “I don’t know where this came from, but I can tell you… that would not get many expressions of support from Democrats or Republicans up here.”
There were some kinks in that slinky, according to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
He responded, “Obviously it’s not going to happen,” when asked to elaborate. Even for Israel, I’m not sure under what circumstances it would make sense. Now, I’m on board if Israel is requesting that the US step in and offer some support to make sure that Hamas can never repeat what they did. However, it seems a little far-fetched for us to take over.
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 choose to return to the region after the Israel-Hamas conflict, he stated that the United States plans to assume long-term ownership of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
It will belong to us. Regarding Gaza, Trump stated, “We’re going to take over that piece, develop it, and create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it will be something the entire Middle East can be proud of.” He also mentioned that he saw a large population there and that the region might turn into the Middle East’s Riviera.
Netanyahu described the action as having the potential to alter history and stated that it was a good idea that ought to be investigated.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said he was speechless after hearing Trump’s comments and grasped his face in horror.
Coons, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated, “You can report that I was speechless.” That’s crazy. There isn’t a single location on Earth that I can think of that would welcome American forces less and where a favorable outcome is less likely.
The leading Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, claimed that the plan did not take into account the concerns of Palestinians. She responded, “I don’t think it’s something that’s in America’s best interest,” when asked if it was something the US could manage safely.
More direct was Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only American Palestinian in Congress.
She referred to the concept as fanatical bull—“on X and ethnic cleansing.
A request for comment on lawmakers’ responses was not immediately answered by the White House Tuesday evening.
Republicans in Congress expressed approval for Trump’s comments.
Supporters of the measure included House Republican Israel Caucus members Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
President Trump is determined to bring about a historic and enduring peace. On X, Hudson wrote.
Maces stated in her post, “Let’s make Gaza into Mar-A-Lago.”