US and Israel Consider Displacing Palestinians to East Africa, Report Reveals

The US and Israel are reportedly discussing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to East Africa, targeting Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland. While Sudan has rejected the overtures, Somali officials claim unawareness of any discussions. Critics decry this as ethnic cleansing, emphasizing the need for international opposition to such proposals.

The United States and Israel are reportedly discussing the possibility of displacing Palestinians from Gaza to three East African nations: Sudan, Somalia, and the Somaliland region. This information comes from US and Israeli officials, as reported by The Associated Press. Notably, Sudan has publicly rejected these overtures, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland have stated they are unaware of any such contacts.

The discussions appear linked to an earlier suggestion made by former President Donald Trump about forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza. This proposal was met with widespread condemnation as a form of ethnic cleansing. Since then, separate attempts by the US and Israel to engage with these East African countries have been ongoing, with Israel reportedly leading these discussions.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has indicated that Israel is pursuing countries willing to accept Palestinians, stating that they are establishing a new emigration department within the Ministry of Defense. In response to these activities, Tamer Qarmout from the Doha Institute has criticized the notion of forced displacement as dangerous and unacceptable, urging global leaders to oppose such measures.

It is suggested that, to entice these governments, the US and Israel might offer various incentives, including financial and diplomatic support. A US official acknowledged ongoing discussions with Somaliland regarding potential support in exchange for recognition, a key interest for Somaliland’s leadership. However, the motivations for Somalia’s potential involvement remain unclear due to the country’s historical support for Palestinian rights.

While Sudanese officials have confirmed receiving offers from the Trump administration related to military assistance and reconstruction, they firmly rejected the idea of resettling Palestinians, asserting that the proposal was dismissed without further consideration.

The discussion surrounding the potential displacement of Palestinians to East Africa raises significant humanitarian and ethical concerns. The rejection of this proposal by the Sudanese government and the condemnation from various scholars emphasizes the sensitivities involved. The situation remains complex, with competing interests and regional dynamics at play, highlighting the need for greater international discourse and intervention against such measures.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com