Macron emphasizes the need for respect towards Palestinians in Gaza, stating that the appropriate response is not a real estate transaction

In the midst of the intense backlash surrounding Donald Trump’s suggestion to “take over” Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the need for “respect” towards Palestinians and their Arab neighbors, rejecting the US president’s notion of forcibly relocating Gazans from their homeland.

“You cannot tell 2 million people, ‘now you will move,’” Macron stated in an interview with CNN, recorded on Thursday at the Elysee Palace in advance of this week’s AI summit.

“The appropriate response is not a real estate maneuver; it is a political solution,” he asserted.

While France has openly supported Israel’s right to defend itself following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Macron has also been vocal in criticizing Israel’s policies and actions during its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

In October 2024, France halted arms exports to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and urged other countries to do the same.

“I have consistently expressed my disagreement with (Israeli) Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Macron remarked. “I do not believe that such a large-scale operation, which sometimes targets civilians, is the correct approach.”

Macron emphasized that an “efficient” approach to the reconstruction of Gaza does not imply a lack of respect for individuals or nations. He underscored the desire of Palestinians to remain in their homeland and noted the reluctance of both Jordan and Egypt to accept a significant influx of Gazan refugees.

Trump’s controversial proposal suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, with the United States assuming “long-term ownership” of the territory.

His remarks drew widespread criticism, particularly for promoting Gaza’s real estate potential and envisioning its transformation into a “Middle Eastern Riviera.”

This is not the first instance of such ideas emerging from Trump’s circle. Last year, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was a senior adviser during Trump’s first term, proposed “cleaning up” Gaza by removing civilians to unlock the area’s “very valuable” waterfront.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for Trump’s “remarkable idea” during a recent visit to the United States. In recent months, there has been a surge of far-right settler groups in Israel advocating for the redevelopment of Gaza, urging Arab residents to leave and to re-establish Jewish settlements.

Any attempt to seize land from the Palestinians would violate international law and is likely to provoke further global backlash.

The international community, including France, has already voiced strong opposition to Trump’s proposals.

The United Nations expressed strong concerns, with its secretary-general cautioning Trump against the notion of “ethnic cleansing.” Spain’s foreign minister stated on RNE that “the land of Gazans is Gaza.” In Western Europe, only Geert Wilders, a far-right leader from the Netherlands, publicly supported the idea, suggesting on X, “Let Palestinians move to Jordan. Gaza-problem solved!”

German President Walter Steinmeier deemed the proposal “unacceptable,” while Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned it would result in “new suffering and new hatred.”

However, some allies have attempted to balance their positions, aiming to satisfy Trump while maintaining established principles regarding Palestinian rights. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy remarked to reporters in Ukraine this week, “On the issue of Gaza, Donald Trump is right. Observing the devastation, it is evident that Palestinians have been horrendously displaced over many months of conflict, and Gaza lies in ruins.”

Lammy further emphasized, “We have consistently maintained that a two-state solution is essential, allowing Palestinians to live and thrive in their homeland of Gaza.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, asserting that Palestinians must be permitted to return to their homes in Gaza.

France has been vocally opposed to any plans for the displacement of Palestinians, with a government spokesperson labeling such proposals as a “destabilizing question in the Middle East.”