Fetterman: Trump Gaza idea 'provocative' but 'part of the conversation'

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said President Trump’s idea to take over the Gaza Strip is “provocative” but it’s “part of the conversation.”

Fetterman, who has been a staunch ally of Israel in its war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, appeared to be open to considering the plan when speaking with Jewish Insider.

“It’s a provocative part of the conversation, but it’s part of the conversation, and that’s where we are,” Fetterman said. “The Palestinians have refused, or they’ve been unwilling to deliver a government that provided security and economic development for themselves.”

“They allowed 10/7 to occur, and now Gaza has to be rebuilt,” he continued, referring to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, during which roughly 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 250 people taken hostage, sparking a war in the region.

Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. During a joint press conference following the meeting, the president suggested the U.S. could help rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip by taking it over and cleaning it up.

He didn’t provide details about who would be able to live there, but suggested displaced Palestinians wouldn’t want to return to the region and could be permanently resettled elsewhere.

Democrats have slammed the president for his remarks, calling the takeover proposal “ethnic cleansing" and "fanatical bulls---." Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) even threatened to introduce articles of impeachment against Trump over the matter.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said he doesn’t understand the president's controversial plan and questioned what would happen to Palestinians and their rights.

Fetterman, who has seemed more open to Trump and his policies in recent weeks, also raised those questions with Jewish Insider.

“Where are the people going to live? Where are they going to go?” he said. “So, it’s part of a conversation with where they’re at right now.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat was also asked if he was OK seeing U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza to support the takeover and rebuilding mission. Trump suggested that sending in service members would only happen if "necessary" — an idea that drew criticism from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

“I don’t know what the role [of U.S. forces] is, but they’re obviously a part of it, and I fully support [it],” Fetterman responded.

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