Illegal Under International Law: Trump’s Proposal to "Take Over" Gaza
Right to Self-Determination
The United Nations and experts warn that US President Donald Trump’s bombshell proposal to "take over" Gaza and empty the war-ravaged Palestinian territory of its people would be blatantly illegal under international law. Trump announced his proposal on Tuesday at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed it as "the first good idea that I’ve heard" on how to deal with Gaza, an Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.
Why is it Illegal?
Observers point to Article 49 of the Geneva Conventions relative to "the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War". It stipulates that "individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the occupying power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive".
‘Utter Nonsense’
The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, also dismissed the proposal from the US president as "utter nonsense". "It’s inciting to commit forced displacement, which is an international crime," the independent expert said during a visit to Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Ethnic Cleansing
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has warned that Trump’s proposal could incite "ethnic cleansing". The UN describes it as "a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian populations of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographical areas".
Legal Consequences
Trump’s proposal makes you "wonder if there is a lawyer at the White House", Vincent Chetail, an international law professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute, told AFP. The proposals "are completely illegal under international law", he said, describing them as "absurd".
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trump’s proposal to "take over" Gaza and empty the war-ravaged Palestinian territory of its people is illegal under international law. The proposal is a violation of the right to self-determination, and it could incite ethnic cleansing. The legal consequences of moving ahead with the plan would be severe, and it could lead to crimes against humanity and war crimes.
FAQs
Q: What is the right to self-determination?
A: The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law, which allows people to determine their own political status and pursue their own economic, social, and cultural development.
Q: Why is Trump’s proposal illegal?
A: Trump’s proposal is illegal because it violates the right to self-determination and the principles of international humanitarian law. It also could incite ethnic cleansing, which is a violation of human rights.
Q: What are the legal consequences of moving ahead with the plan?
A: The legal consequences of moving ahead with the plan would be severe. It could lead to crimes against humanity and war crimes, and it could also lead to the prosecution of individuals involved in the plan under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Q: Is Israel’s occupation of Gaza illegal?
A: Yes, Israel’s occupation of Gaza is illegal. The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recognized the occupation as illegal, and it has called for Israel to withdraw its forces from the territory.