Some Arab-American community members in the Valley are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians from Gaza be permanently relocated, calling the idea shocking and out of touch with the region’s realities.

The plan, which Trump has described as creating a “Riviera of the Middle East,” has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups and international leaders, who warn it could amount to ethnic cleansing.

Suhad Hadi, president of the Arab-American Community Center of Youngstown, called the proposal “illegal under international law” and accused Trump of making the U.S. complicit in potential war crimes.

“Everything he’s proposed sets the stage for ethnic cleansing,” Hadi said. “It’s shocking that an American president would advocate for forcibly removing an entire population from their homeland.”

Mousa Kassis, another community member, echoed Hadi’s concerns, describing Trump’s plan as “appalling” and rooted in a long history of displacement.

“This isn’t a new idea,” Kassis said. “Since the first Zionist settlements in Palestine in the late 1800s, there’s been a continuous effort to expel Palestinians. Trump is just the latest to push this agenda.”

Trump’s proposal, which includes relocating Gaza’s 2.2 million Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, received opposition from regional allies.

Egypt and Jordan have rejected the idea, with Jordan’s King Abdullah II stating that displacing Palestinians would destabilize the region.

The plan also raises legal concerns. Forcible transfer of populations from occupied territories is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and could constitute a war crime.

The International Criminal Court has previously prosecuted cases of forced displacement, including during the Balkan wars in the 1990s.

“Any type of pressure or duress to leave constitutes forcible transfer,” Hadi said. “It doesn’t have to be at gunpoint. The mere suggestion that Palestinians should abandon their homes is a violation of their rights.”

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA

The proposal comes amid a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to UNICEF, up to 1.9 million people — 90% of Gaza’s population — are internally displaced, with half being children. Many have been displaced multiple times, and thousands have been killed or injured.

Malnutrition rates are at unprecedented levels, and families lack access to basic necessities like food, water and medicine.

“People are dying from the cold,” Kassis said. “They need immediate housing, medicine, and food. Instead of talking about redevelopment, the focus should be on opening the borders to allow aid in.”

IMPACT ON U.S. CREDIBILITY

Both Hadi and Kassis expressed concern that Trump’s proposal undermines U.S. credibility on the global stage.

“The international community has spoken,” Hadi said, referencing the 140 countries that have called for a ceasefire and recognized Palestine. “The U.S. is becoming an outlier, and its complicity in these actions will have long-term consequences.”

Kassis pointed to the U.S. veto of multiple ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations as evidence of a biased approach.

“We could have had a ceasefire a year ago,” he said. “Instead, we’ve prolonged the suffering and lost credibility as a neutral mediator.”

The proposal has sparked outrage among Arab-American communities and beyond. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, with many users accusing Trump of promoting ethnic cleansing.

Polling data shows that a majority of Americans oppose forced displacement with 47% rejecting Trump’s proposal. Only 13% supported the idea, while 40% remained unsure or said “It depends,” according to a CBS News / YouGov poll conducted Feb. 5-7, 2025, among 2,175 U.S. adults.

Hadi noted that while the media has started to give Palestinians a platform, more needs to be done to counter decades of misinformation.

“We’ve been portrayed as terrorists for so long,” she said. “But when you subjugate a people, resistance is inevitable. Nelson Mandela was once on a terrorist watch list, too.”

Kassis said the only path to lasting peace is through recognition of Palestinian rights. “Give them their freedom and independence,” he said. “The U.S. claims to support a two-state solution, but actions speak louder than words.”

For now, Hadi said she remains committed to raising awareness and advocating for a just resolution.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Hadi said. “This is our land, and we will continue to fight for it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.