French President Emmanuel Macron has told the CNN news network that he firmly rejects Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza’s population, stressing that such a move is neither viable nor lawful.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron, criticised the idea of relocating Gaza's two million residents, stating, "You cannot say to two million people, 'okay, now guess what? You will move'".
He emphasised that the solution to Gaza's poroblems should be political rather than a "real estate operation".
In response to former US President Donald Trump's proposal to transform the Gaza Strip into a luxury resort by displacing its Palestinian inhabitants, France has expressed strong opposition, emphasising the importance of respecting international law and Palestinian rights.
France, Europe slam Trump's 'Riviera' vision for Gaza as legally indefensible
'Violation of international law'
The French foreign ministry also condemned the proposal, labeling any forced displacement of Gazans as "unacceptable".
A ministry spokesperson highlighted that such actions would constitute a "serious violation of international law" and undermine the two-state solution. Additionally, they warned that it could destabilise neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.
France's stance falls in line with broader international criticism.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned against any action that could be perceived as "ethnic cleansing" following Trump's proposal.
France's rejection of the plan underlines the need for democratic nations to commit to international law and the pursuit of a two-state solution, advocating for a political resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
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Widespread condemnation
European nations have been particularly vocal in their opposition to Trump's proposal for Gaza.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has stressed that expelling Gaza's civilian population would be "unacceptable and contrary to international law," leading to further suffering and animosity.
"There must be no solution over the heads of the Palestinians," she asserted.
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated: "Gaza is the land of Palestinian Gazans and they must remain in Gaza. Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state."
Similarly, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris highlighted that displacing Gazans would contradict UN Security Council resolutions, reinforcing the necessity of a two-state solution.
Beyond Europe, the proposal faced significant criticism from Arab states, with Jordan's King Abdullah II rejecting any attempts to annex land and displace Palestinians, while Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called on the international community to rebuild Gaza without transferring its residents elsewhere.
