Nearly half of Americans reject Trump's Gaza displacement plan: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Feb 2025 21:12

Despite widespread opposition to the occupation and forced displacement plan, Trump still maintains significant support for his broader handling of the war on Gaza.

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An attendee waves a Palestinian flag during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Washington campus Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Seattle. (AP)

A recent CBS/YouGov poll has revealed that nearly half of Americans oppose Donald Trump's proposal for the US to take control of Gaza, a plan that includes the forced displacement of Palestinians to neighboring countries.

The survey, conducted between February 5 and 7 with a sample of 2,175 US adults, found that 47% of respondents viewed the idea negatively, while only 13% considered it a "good idea." Meanwhile, 40% were uncertain.

Despite widespread opposition to the occupation and forced displacement plan, Trump still maintains significant support for his broader handling of the war on Gaza. According to the poll, 54% of respondents approved of his approach, while 46% disapproved.

Additionally, 70% of respondents believed Trump is delivering on his campaign promises, and 53% approved of his overall job performance.

Trump's Gaza plan

During a speech on Tuesday, Trump described Gaza as a "demolition site", claiming that the United States should take control of the Palestinian territory. He also proposed the forced removal of Palestinians to countries such as Egypt and Jordan, suggesting that Gaza should be turned into "the Riviera of the Middle East" under US leadership.

Trump's remarks have sparked global condemnation. Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have firmly rejected the plan, warning that it constitutes an attempt to erase Palestinian identity and violates international law.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that any attempt to forcibly expel Palestinians amounts to ethnic cleansing. Legal experts and human rights organizations have also condemned the proposal as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forced transfer of occupied populations.