A senior Vatican official has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, asserting that “the Palestinian people must remain on their land.”
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting between Italy and the Vatican, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin emphasized that “deportations are one of the fundamental points for the Holy See.” He further stated that expelling Palestinians would cause regional tensions and “make no sense,” especially as neighbouring countries, such as Jordan, oppose such a move.
According to Parolin, the solution lies in a two-state approach, which would not only provide peace but also offer hope to the Palestinian people.
This is not the first time the Vatican has opposed Trump’s policies. Earlier this week, Pope Francis criticized Trump’s plans to expel undocumented migrants from the United States, calling it a “major crisis” and condemning the impact on the dignity of migrants.
The Pope’s remarks come amid widespread condemnation of Trump’s call to take control of the besieged Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians in neighbouring countries. Despite Trump’s repeated insistence that Jordan and Egypt would take in Palestinians, both countries have firmly rejected the idea.
Trump hinted that he may withhold aid to these countries if they do not accept his proposal, stating, “If they don’t agree, it’s conceivable that I could suspend aid.”
