Gaza Shenanigans

On February 5th Trump spoke in a presser with Israeli Netanyahu. His comments included the proposal that the USA take over Gaza, temporarily resettle over 2 million residents of the region, and rebuild the area completely. New roads, business areas, residential facilities, buildings of all sizes and the whole kit and caboodle. How we are to do that and with what funding from which sources remain open points of discussion. How much input will come from Gazans in all of this was also not outlined.

Clearly, Trump was kissing Netanyahu’s ass. No one else wants to do that these days, and Netanyahu is fighting for his political life. His horrid response to Hamas’ attack on Isreal was totally out of proportion. And it was unsustainable. What was to become of Gazans in the meantime? Who would pay for all of this? And how is Trump suggesting we do?

Netanyahu suggested Trump’s ideas were unique and fresh and deserved consideration. Of course he would say that. He doesn’t have the money or power to rebuild the nation he has destroyed. Nor does he have the political clout to make it happen. American resources might just do the trick, of course.

The big issue is how to keep public order. Ten or twenty thousand American troops might do this, but what would they expect in return for service in a region of extreme mistrust and hate? Not a friendly assignment, to be sure!

But what do we do both with the proposal and Gaza?  Let’s look at a few thoughts on this.

1.      Trump proclaimed recently we are not a nation builder. So now he thinks we are or should be? How did that happen?

2.      What authority will the Trump administration cite for supporting this program? Is that authority even constitutional?

3.      Military support of this program makes this a military project, at least in part. Didn’t Trump claim we should never be in another war? Is this a war? Could it lead readily to open hostilities that place our troops in mortal danger?

4.      How much will this cost? Sounds like hundreds of billions if not a trillion. Where are we to find such sums?

5.      How does this directly benefit American citizens given Trump’s previously stated beliefs that the deep state of government in America supports far too many things having nothing to do with regular citizens?

We could go on and on here. But we are only considering this suggestion, right? Right? Oh, please say we aren’t going to actually do this. The Middle East needs to take care of itself and make hostile parties pay for the damage they have done.

February 10, 2025

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