Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there was nothing wrong with Donald Trump’s idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza.
Rights groups condemned as ethnic cleansing Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians should be permanently displaced, while also proposing a US takeover of Gaza.
His press secretary rowed back, saying Gazans would be “temporarily relocated”.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu backed the idea of “allowing Gazans who want to leave to leave”.
He added: “I mean, what’s wrong with that? They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back. But you have to rebuild Gaza.”
Netanyahu said he did not believe Trump suggested sending US troops to fight Hamas in Gaza or that Washington would finance rebuilding efforts.
“This is the first good idea that I’ve heard,” he added.
“It’s a remarkable idea, and I think it should be really pursued, examined, pursued and done, because I think it will create a different future for everyone.”
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by both the Arab states and Palestinian leaders. (Skynews)