Over 70 Civil Rights Groups Urge Trump to Abandon Gaza Occupation Plan

More than 70 civil rights, faith-based, and advocacy organizations have called on President Donald Trump to reconsider his proposal to “take over” the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate its Palestinian population, Anadolu Agency reported. In a letter sent on February 15, the groups expressed “deep concern” over Trump’s plan, which they argue could lead to the expulsion of nearly 2 million Palestinians from their homeland.

The letter warns that such actions would provoke significant backlash in the Arab and Muslim world, potentially entangling the U.S. in prolonged military conflicts and undermining efforts for a peaceful Palestinian state. They emphasized that “Gaza is not a ‘big real estate site’” but a land with deep historical significance for millions of Palestinians.

Among the signatories were notable organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). The letter advocates for collaboration with regional partners to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents and outlines a broader peace agenda, including calls for a permanent ceasefire and full U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state.

Trump’s proposal, which he described as a plan to transform Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” has faced widespread condemnation from Palestinians and various nations globally. The UN reports that nearly 2 million residents in Gaza have been displaced since the onset of the recent conflict.