(WND)—President Donald Trump floated the idea Tuesday of the U.S. taking ownership of the Gaza Strip, which he called a “hellhole.”
The comment was made in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the two held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. For his part, the prime minister seemed amenable to Trump’s out-of-the-box thinking.
“We’re talking about it,” Netanyahu said when asked if he liked the idea.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” Trump indicated.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site.”
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“We’ll create an economic development..and thousands upon thousands of jobs.”
The president further justified the idea of redevelopment by talking about the conditions of the Strip.
“Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area,” he said.
“Do a real job. Do something different. Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years.”
“I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East,” Trump said. “And everybody I’ve spoken to – this was not a decision made lightly – everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.
“Developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent in a really magnificent area that nobody would know. Nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble.”
“It’s right now a demolition site,” he claimed.
This statement echoed comments Mr. Trump earlier made during a gaggle with press in the Oval Office. At that time, he suggested all Gaza residents should relocate after the war.
Netanyahu’s state visit is the first visit by a foreign head of state in President Trump’s second term. It was clearly meant to signal strong ongoing support for Israel by the United States.
He showed his gratitude by telling Trump, “You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
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