German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has denounced US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, calling it "completely unacceptable." Scholz stated that "we should not relocate the people of Gaza to Egypt." He emphasized the need to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Middle East and stressed the importance of pursuing all efforts to ensure the coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state in peace.
Trump, during a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that the US would "take over" the Gaza Strip and transform it into an economic hub, turning it into "the Riviera of the Middle East." He proposed relocating Palestinians living in Gaza to Arab countries in the region. This statement sparked widespread international backlash, prompting the Trump administration to soften its stance, stating that the relocation would be temporary.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement on the matter, asserted that "this should not be seen as a hostile move" and characterized Trump's plan as a "generous offer." He indicated that the US was solely interested in making the Gaza Strip habitable again, suggesting that the Palestinians' departure from the region would be more appropriate in this process.
Scholz also criticized Trump's sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). During a speech in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Scholz stated, "I do not think it is right to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court." While acknowledging that disagreements are normal, he deemed the sanctions a "wrong step." Scholz highlighted the ICC's role in preventing dictators from committing atrocities and waging war, asserting that "this type of sanctions harms the international justice system."
Trump announced sanctions against the ICC following the court's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on war crimes charges. The US and Israel do not recognize the ICC. Last year, the ICC issued international arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza War.