NPR’s Scott Detrow speaks with Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Basic Secretary of the Palestinian Nationwide Initiative, about President Trump’s proposal for the US to take management of the Gaza Strip.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Even judging by the requirements that he set throughout his time on the Nationwide stage, President Donald Trump’s assertion this previous week that the U.S. would take possession of the Gaza Strip was stunning. Throughout a press convention with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump mentioned the 2 leaders had talked about relocating some 1.8 million Palestinians and leveling then completely rebuilding Gaza.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we are going to do a job with it, too. We’ll personal it.
DETROW: The announcement drew condemnation from leaders around the globe, and a few senior Trump aides have tried to stroll again elements of the plan. However ought to the plan or one thing prefer it go ahead, Gaza would change, as would its relationship with the opposite Palestinian territory, the West Financial institution.
For one perspective on this, we now have known as Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, who’s a political chief within the West Financial institution. He is the final secretary of the Palestinian Nationwide Initiative and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. He joins us now from Ramallah within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution. Welcome to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI: Thanks a lot. Thanks.
DETROW: You, together with others – you publicly condemned President Trump’s proposal. I am curious. How are you and your colleagues in West Financial institution management speaking about this this week? What are you serious about?
BARGHOUTI: Properly, as I mentioned in a number of interviews, President Trump’s proposal is not only harmful to the opportunity of peace on this area, however it’s truly additionally legal.
DETROW: How so?
BARGHOUTI: As a result of what he known as for are two warfare crimes – the primary crime is that he known as for ethnic cleaning of the Palestinian individuals who dwell in Gaza, who’re a part of the Palestinian folks generally. And second, he known as for the theft of the land of Gaza Strip and to take it over. This land belongs to the individuals who dwell there, belongs to the individuals who lived there for hundreds of years and who’ve their goals, their historical past, their civilization, their belongings, and he simply wish to take it over.
DETROW: As is usually the case when President Trump makes an announcement like this, there was a variety of evaluation that maybe he did not truly imply that, however maybe he was making an attempt to set the framework for negotiations to result in some type of final result. You, as anyone very near this situation – I am questioning what you make of that evaluation and that pondering and simply type of, once more, what the conversations you have had with different leaders are about what comes subsequent now that this proposal is on the market.
BARGHOUTI: We’re speaking in regards to the president of the US. I do not suppose he jokes when he speaks. And we’re speaking about probably the most highly effective nation on the earth. To be advocate of violation of worldwide regulation in such a way is actually shameful.
DETROW: What, to you, is the perfect different? What, to you, is the perfect path ahead in Gaza? – as a result of there is not any query there was widespread destruction in Gaza. A lot has been leveled, destroyed. So many individuals have died. How would you rebuild?
BARGHOUTI: For my part, the choice is, initially, to guarantee that the ceasefire shall proceed, that Israel wouldn’t be allowed to return to warfare, after which there must be a global Arab Muslim coalition that would offer assist to the folks of Gaza to reconstruct and rebuild Gaza and provoke a real peace strategy answer that enables Palestinians to be free from this horrible occupation so that everyone can get pleasure from safety, whether or not we’re speaking about Palestinians or Israelis.
DETROW: At this second in time, who’s in control of Gaza? Who do you suppose ought to have the duty to rebuild, to plan for its future? – as a result of should you have a look at public assist within the Gaza strip, it looks like many individuals there would really like Hamas to stay in cost.
BARGHOUTI: I do know, however Hamas instructed us frankly and overtly and clearly, in our conferences of all Palestinian teams which passed off in Beijing, that they’re able to – to not be within the authorities of Gaza and to not be the federal government of Gaza. And the answer is easy. I personally drafted it in settlement with all of the representatives of the 14 events, which is to create a nationwide consensus Palestinian authorities, which consists primarily of unbiased professionals who will probably be accepted by all people and will probably be cooperated with by all people.
However it is going to be a authorities for each West Financial institution and Gaza in order that no one would separate Gaza from the West Financial institution and proceed to kill the concept of a Palestinian unbiased state, so a nationwide consensus authorities that may ultimately put together at no cost democratic elections which we did not have since 20 years. And I guarantee you, if we now have elections – we’re utilizing proportional system, so if we now have elections, no single social gathering can have majority. That is for certain. All polls present that.
So in my view, that is the answer, a nationwide consensus authorities. And no one desires to proceed this warfare. No person desires to return to warfare. And this authorities may be accountable, in cooperation with the Arab governments and hopefully with many individuals within the worldwide group, of reconstructing Gaza and rebuilding it. After which, in my view, the entire world should train strain on Israel to finish occupation. That is the street, the trail, that was by no means tried, ending occupation and permitting Palestinians to be free from occupation and construct our personal future independently with freedom.
DETROW: Should you might communicate on to President Trump proper now, what would you say to him?
BARGHOUTI: I might say to him, if you wish to get Nobel Peace Prize, the street is easy. Stress Israel to finish occupation. Enable Palestinians to be free. You’re most welcome to convey worldwide troops if you would like and put them on the borders between the Palestinian state and Israel to supply safety for everyone. Then you will get Nobel Peace Prize. However should you proceed to advocate ethnic cleaning of the Palestinian folks, of Gaza, and proceed to be completely biased to Israel in the best way and method you’re, you’ll be described in historical past as a warfare legal, not as a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
I will probably be frank with him. I believe he likes folks to be sincere and frank with him. It is both peace by ending Israeli occupation and permitting Palestinians to have self-determination and freedom, or it is warfare crime. That’s the actuality of what we see at this time.
DETROW: That is Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, normal secretary of the Palestinian Nationwide Initiative and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Thanks a lot.
BARGHOUTI: Thanks. Take care.
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