Posted inLAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Trump’s call to “clear out” Gaza sparks anger and condemnation on the airwaves

“If necessary, we will defend our land,” Ahmed Moussa told his viewers

Donald Trump’s proposal to “just clear out” Gaza led the conversation on last night’s talk shows, with the dangerous and worrying suggestion sparking passionate and often angry responses from the nation’s talking heads.

Much of the world’s press had also led their coverage throughout the day with the newly elected president’s comments, which emerged early yesterday and quickly led to condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and others. Trump’s comments to reporters saw him propose that the masses of displaced Palestinians be pushed into Egypt and Jordan.

Egypt strongly rejected the proposal in a statement by the Foreign Ministry that reiterated it “continued support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and their commitment to their legitimate rights to their homeland.”

The nation’s talking heads responded in a less restrained manner, with Lamees El Hadidi telling her viewers on Kelma Akhira that the US president “doesn’t care about international law, homeland, right and wrong, or the concept of ethnic cleansing and displacement. The host continued that “what Trump wants is Israel’s security and to eliminate the headache of the Palestinian issue” (watch, runtime: 8:44).

Ahmed Moussa was even more vocal in his opposition, declaring that “If necessary, we will defend our land” during his primetime slot on Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 1:04:05). Moussa argued that the plan to relocate Palestinians to Sinai dates back decades and that “Egypt will never give up Sinai or allow it to become an alternative homeland for Palestinians.” Stressing Egypt’s independence and willingness to exercise its sovereignty, Moussa added that “neither Trump nor anyone else can impose their wishes on us.”

Some stressed that the country is united its opposition to the proposal, including Amr Adib who said on his show El Hekaya (watch, runtime: 8:07, 17:19) that There is both public and official rejection of the relocation plan.”

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