---

 [ WORLD WATCH ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=332)

#  'This is Ethnic Cleansing': Trump's Idea for Jordan and Egypt to Take Gazans Triggers Outrage

Written by Eloise Goldsmith.

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/b1/008n-b1f7346d.jpg)

January 27 2025

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

ETHNIC CLEANSING - Speaking to reporters Saturday, U.S. President [Donald Trump](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/donald-trump) said he would like to see most of the population of war-torn [Gaza](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/gaza) be relocated to Jordan and Egypt, a plan that a number of observers said was tantamount to ethnic cleansing. Trump made the remarks the same day that he lifted a Biden-era [hold](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-makes-2000-pound-bombs-available-israel-undoing-bidens-pause-2025-01-25/) on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs to [Israel](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/israel).

"I'd like Egypt to take people. And I'd like Jordan to take people," Trump [said](https://www.ft.com/content/8f532d01-a8cc-49e3-b1db-31e3da8d3771), according to the Financial Times. "You're talking about a million and half people, and we just clean out that whole thing." Gaza's [population](https://www.britannica.com/place/Gaza-Strip) was 2.2 million in 2023.

"'Clean out' is barely even a euphemism. This is ethnic cleansing, call it what it is," wrote Assal Rad, the author of a book on modern Iran, on X, [reacting](https://x.com/AssalRad/status/1883429524446360060) to an Associated Press article about Trump's comments.

The independent reporter Talia Jane [wrote](https://x.com/taliaotg/status/1883381176334983422): "What's it called when you clean out an ethnic group from a region."

"He's just openly endorsing/encouraging ethnic cleansing," [wrote](https://bsky.app/profile/mehdirhasan.bsky.social/post/3lgmkfd2bzk2b) the journalist Mehdi Hasan on Saturday. Others chimed in with [similar remarks](https://bsky.app/profile/sethabramson.bsky.social/post/3lgnmfcs77s26).

Trump's comments were made [nearly a week](https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-hamas-ceasefire) after a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect, halting 15 months of war that was triggered by a Hamas deadly attack on Israel in October, 2023 and which left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead, according to local health officials.

Homes, shelter, and infrastructure has also been largely [decimated](https://www.commondreams.org/news/gazans-return-homes-destroyed) in the Gaza Strip by Israel's military campaign there. Trump said that Gaza is "literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything's demolished and people are dying there, so I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where I think they could maybe live in peace for a change," [per](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/25/politics/trump-gaza-strip-jordan-egypt/index.html)CNN.

"What the occupation has failed to achieve through its criminal bombardment and genocide in Gaza will not be implemented through political pressures," [said](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/25/politics/trump-gaza-strip-jordan-egypt/index.html) independent Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti, according to CNN. "The conspiracy of ethnic cleansing will not succeed in Gaza or the West Bank."

Trump also [told](https://www.ft.com/content/8f532d01-a8cc-49e3-b1db-31e3da8d3771) reporters that he had already discussed the idea to relocate Gazans with King Abdullah of Jordan on Saturday. He said he planned to bring up the plan during a Sunday phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah A-Sisi.

Trump's proposal would be a departure from the United States' official [position](https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-palestinian-territories#:~:text=U.S.%2DPALESTINIAN%20RELATIONS&text=The%20U.S.%20Government%20remains%20committed,of%20freedom%2C%20security%20and%20prosperity.) of forging a negotiated "two state solution" for Israel and [Palestine](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/palestine), although [some say](https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-us-policy-israeli-palestinian-conflict) that the United States' policies towards the region, [including](https://quincyinst.org/research/mind-the-gap-u-s-preferences-and-israels-war-conduct/#executive-summary) the nearly unqualified support for Israel during its campaign in Gaza, have undercut that goal.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich endorsed Trump's remarks, [according](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/25/politics/trump-gaza-strip-jordan-egypt/index.html) to CNN, saying "the idea of helping \[Gazans\] find other places to start new, better lives is a great idea."

*(Eloise Goldsmith is a staff writer for Common Dreams where this article was first published.)*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays

 Email

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d8/066m-d8f0fac6.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

### [Democrats Finally Tell Iowa and New Hampshire: You Don’t Go First Anymore](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Earlier in the week, the Democratic National Committee did something good. Mind you it wasn’t great…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/da/066j-daf22e28.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

### [A Prisoner, A Peacemaker, and Israel’s Defining Choice](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

P.O.V - Marwan Barghouti remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—figures in the Israeli-Palestinian con…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/65/066n-6599ca07.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33228:lausd-demolishes-closed-schools-wasting-public-assets-and-community-hopes&catid=312)

### [LAUSD Demolishes Closed Schools, Wasting Public Assets and Community Hopes](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33228:lausd-demolishes-closed-schools-wasting-public-assets-and-community-hopes&catid=312)

NICK'S VIEW - We are appalled that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is demolishing closed schools in the…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e3/067m-e39a930e.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33250:missing-middle-la-city-plannings-new-approach-to-attainable-housing&catid=429)

### [Missing Middle. LA City Planning’s New Approach to “Attainable” Housing](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33250:missing-middle-la-city-plannings-new-approach-to-attainable-housing&catid=429)

MY TAKE - As if Sacramento’s relentless parade of housing-streamlining legislation hasn’t disrupted Los Angeles neighbo…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/84/066h-84a1ecbd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33234:homelessness-among-seniors-spikes-in-los-angeles-county-but-its-not-hopeless&catid=312)

### [Homelessness Among Seniors Spikes in Los Angeles County, But It’s Not Hopeless](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33234:homelessness-among-seniors-spikes-in-los-angeles-county-but-its-not-hopeless&catid=312)

SENIOR HOUSING - Near the very end of the report for the most recent Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, there’s a stat…

---

##  [ WORLD WATCH ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=332)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/051q2.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32951:venezuela-needs-the-world-more-than-ever-english-spanish&catid=332)### [Venezuela Needs the World More Than Ever \[English & Spanish\]](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32951:venezuela-needs-the-world-more-than-ever-english-spanish&catid=332)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/047f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32873:netanyahus-betrayal-of-israels-promise&catid=332)### [Netanyahu’s Betrayal Of Israel’s Promise](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32873:netanyahus-betrayal-of-israels-promise&catid=332)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2026/039k.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32727:turkeys-egregious-human-rights-violations-are-beyond-the-pale&catid=332)### [Turkey’s Egregious Human Rights Violations Are Beyond The Pale](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32727:turkeys-egregious-human-rights-violations-are-beyond-the-pale&catid=332)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2026/022f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32427:from-epic-fury-to-a-trap-of-trumps-own-making-finding-the-way-out&catid=332)### [From ‘Epic Fury’ To A Trap Of Trump’s Own Making: Finding The Way Out](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32427:from-epic-fury-to-a-trap-of-trumps-own-making-finding-the-way-out&catid=332)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Feb-2026/055p.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32307:top-7-mongolia-travel-tips-for-2026&catid=332)### [Top 7 Mongolia Travel Tips for 2026](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32307:top-7-mongolia-travel-tips-for-2026&catid=332)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>