The U.S. and Israel are seeking to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in East Africa, contacting Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland. Despite Israeli support for the controversial plan, Sudan has rejected it outright, while Somalia and Somaliland remain skeptical, raising moral concerns about forced relocation.
The U.S. and Israel are engaging with three East African nations—Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland—to explore the possibility of resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza. This initiative, tied to Trump’s proposed postwar plan, reflects the commitment of both nations to proceed despite significant moral and legal concerns surrounding forced resettlement.
Sudan has reportedly rejected U.S. overtures regarding this initiative, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland indicate they were unaware of any related discussions. Trump’s controversial plan entails relocating over 2 million people from Gaza, with the U.S. purportedly taking ownership to facilitate redevelopment.
Once considered a radical idea, Trump’s notion of mass Palestinian relocations has received a degree of endorsement from Israel’s leadership, as Prime Minister Netanyahu calls it a “bold vision.” However, Palestinians and several Arab nations strongly oppose the proposal, highlighting the potential for war crimes associated with coerced emigration.
American and Israeli discussions with these East African governments began following a White House meeting between Trump and Netanyahu. Israel appears to be spearheading negotiations, backed by various incentives for these nations, as previously demonstrated in the Abraham Accords.
The possibility of Solomon’s involvement is compounded by the ongoing civil unrest in Sudan. U.S. and Israeli incentives may include debt relief and military support to sway the Sudanese government, despite its leaders categorically rejecting the resettlement proposal as a threat to Palestinian sovereignty.
In Somaliland, an unrecognized region with a stable governance structure, the U.S. is reportedly seeking to foster relationships that may offer international recognition in exchange for support. However, no formal approach has occurred regarding accepting Palestinians.
Somalia, which has consistently voiced its support for the Palestinian cause, appears resistant to the idea of hosting displaced Gazans. Experts suggest potential underlying motives for this new focus on Somalia, but official sources maintain there have been no discussions on this issue.
The outreach by the U.S. and Israel to East African nations regarding the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza has garnered mixed reactions, with major rejections from Sudan and skepticism from Somalia and Somaliland. Concerns about morality and legality persist, and both the Palestinian population and various Arab nations have voiced strong opposition. The geopolitical dynamics of this proposal, amid ongoing regional instability and changing diplomatic ties, raise significant questions about feasibility and long-term implications.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
