‘Stand up’: Cultural leaders in Fresno against Trump’s Gaza takeover

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – As more details about President Donald Trump’s plan to have the U.S. takeover the Gaza strip rise, local Palestinian and Israeli leaders are responding with how this could affect their communities.

The president says Palestinians living in Gaza would not be allowed to return to the war-torn territory if the plan moves forward. 

President Donald Trump expanding on his plan for the Middle East, calling his proposal to take over Gaza as a real estate adventure.

“Think of it as a big real estate site, and the United States is going to own it,” Trump said.

He says Palestinians living in the Gaza strip would not be allowed to return to the land.

“I think that it’s a big mistake to allow people, the Palestinians or the people living in Gaza, to go back yet another time, and we don’t want Hamas going back,” Trump said.

“I don’t know who this benefits other than a developer. I think the Israeli population would not really benefit from this. Certainly, the Gaza and the Palestinian community would be completely thrown by this. And that’s not going to get us to a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” said Rabbi Rick Winer with Temple Beth Israel.

“The vast majority of people I know both Jews in the local community and friends and family in Israel as well as the Palestinian community. It’s a nonstarter. It’s just not something that could or should work or even be attempted,” he continued. 

Winer says community members are worried about the impact comments about a potential Gaza takeover, could have on the current ceasefire deal in place between Israel and Hamas.

“We’re really concerned about the condition of the hostages and how soon we can get them home. And so, a gentle or wise diplomacy is crucial at this point,” he said.

Palestinian advocate Hajj Reza Nekumanesh spoke against President Trump when he first introduced the idea. Right now, his feelings remain unchanged.

“My reactions are the same as last time we spoke, Sydney. I’m not surprised. I think that follows the same arc of a plan that has been the dream of some of the world leaders and some around the world to eradicate the Gaza and the West Bank of the Palestinian people so that they can develop it into what they want to develop it into,” said Nekumanesh, President at Prophet Muhammad Center.

“I don’t think that this is just the agenda of President Trump. This has been the agenda of almost every sitting president that we’ve had since the formation of what is called Israel. And it is the agenda of Zionism,” he said.

Nekumanesh urges others to speak out and use their voices.

“I ask the American people to stand up, to stand up with those that are oppressed, that are marginalized, that are suppressed around the world, whether they be in the Congo or Sudan or in South America and in Palestine,” he expressed.