Donald Trump is the wrong person to be designing a peace plan for the Palestinians in Gaza.

First, understand that Gaza is a 25-mile region about the size of Philadelphia surrounded by Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean. It is completely enclosed by a sophisticated wall made of iron, steel, razor wire built by Israel as a “security system.” It has three gates, which Israel or Egypt control. It is home to over 2 million Palestinians.  

This “wall” must be addressed. But it is mentioned only twice in Trump’s plan: 1. One of the three gates will be reopened 2. If the Gazans behave there might be discussions about “the security perimeter presence”. Mr. Trump wouldn’t even call it a wall.

Palestinians are hardly Trump’s priority.

He pays little attention to them. Moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem was seen as an insult by the Palestinians. Trump had the audacity to propose that there be mass deportation of Gazans so he could turn Gaza into the Riviera of the Middle East featuring Trump properties.

He has attempted to deport foreign students who call what Israel has done in Gaza a genocide. He is penalizing universities  he deems  “antisemitic” if there is even a hint of Palestinian points of view anywhere on campus. I doubt seriously he has any stake in Palestinian statehood. 

President Trump won’t insist that the wall come down. But keeping people in a cage is inhumane. And such awful oppression will lead to much more violence. 

Jo Trafford
Portland