Somalis Reject U.S. Plan to Resettle Palestinians from Gaza

The Somali government and citizens have strongly opposed the U.S. proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, citing national interests and regional concerns. Read more about the unfolding developments.

Residents of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, opposed a proposal on Friday to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in their country. “As an independent Somali politician,” stated Mohamed Mohamed Elmi Afrah, “I believe it will not receive widespread support among Somalis—whether from the general populace or the government.”

The interactions with Sudan, Somalia, and the self-declared independent region of Somaliland highlight the commitment of both the U.S. and Israel to advance a plan that has faced widespread condemnation for raising significant legal and moral concerns. Given that all three areas are impoverished and some suffer from ongoing violence, this proposal further questions President Donald Trump’s proclaimed objective of relocating Gaza’s Palestinian population to what he describes as a “beautiful area.”

Sudanese officials stated they have declined approaches from the U.S., whereas representatives from Somalia and Somaliland informed The Associated Press that they were unaware of any such interactions. According to Trump’s proposal, over 2 million residents of Gaza would be relocated indefinitely. He suggested that the U.S. take control of the region, manage an extensive cleanup operation, and transform it into a real estate venture. Previously, this concept of mass relocation for Palestinians was regarded as a far-fetched notion held by Israel’s ultranationalist extreme factions.

Since Trump introduced the idea during a White House meeting last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised it as a “bold vision.” However, Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal and refute Israeli assertions that any departures would be voluntary.

Arab nations have strongly opposed the current proposal and suggested an alternative reconstruction plan that would allow Palestinians to remain in their homes. Human rights organizations have warned that forcing or pressuring Palestinians to relocate could constitute a potential war crime.