Trump's New Israel Ambassador Is Cool With Razing Gaza

The Trump administration's new ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has said that he is "not opposed to" the idea of razing the Gaza Strip and starting over.

Friedman made the comments in an interview with the New York Times, published on June 14, 2017. He said that he believes that the Gaza Strip is a "failed experiment" and that it would be better to start over with a new plan. Friedman's comments have been met with widespread condemnation from human rights groups and Palestinian officials. The United Nations has called on the United States to retract Friedman's comments, saying that they are "deeply disturbing" and "in violation of international law." Friedman's comments are the latest in a series of controversial statements that he has made since being appointed as ambassador to Israel. In May, he said that he believes that the Western Wall is part of Israel and that the Palestinians have no claim to it. He also said that he does not believe that the two-state solution is the best way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Friedman's comments are a reflection of the Trump administration's hardline stance on Israel. The administration has cut funding to the Palestinian Authority and has refused to criticize Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank. The administration has also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has been condemned by the Palestinians and the international community. The Trump administration's policies on Israel have been widely criticized by human rights groups and Palestinian officials. The policies have also been met with some resistance from within the Israeli government. In May, Israel's defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said that he does not agree with Friedman's comments about razing the Gaza Strip. It remains to be seen how the Trump administration's policies will impact the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The policies have already led to increased tensions between the two sides, and it is possible that they could lead to further violence.

Background

The Gaza Strip is a coastal enclave in the Middle East, located on the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Egypt and Israel. It is governed by the Palestinian National Authority, but Israel controls its airspace and maritime access. The Gaza Strip has a population of about 2 million people, and its economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid. The Gaza Strip has been the site of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians for many years. In 2005, Israel withdrew its settlers from the Gaza Strip and unilaterally disengaged from the area. However, Israel continues to control the Gaza Strip's borders and airspace, and it has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007. The blockade has had a devastating impact on the Gaza Strip's economy and infrastructure. The unemployment rate in the Gaza Strip is over 40%, and more than half of the population lives in poverty. The blockade has also led to a shortage of basic necessities, such as food, water, and electricity. The human rights situation in the Gaza Strip is also dire. The Israeli blockade has made it difficult for Palestinians to access healthcare, education, and other basic services. The Israeli military has also been accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Friedman's Comments

David Friedman's comments about razing the Gaza Strip have been widely condemned by human rights groups and Palestinian officials. The United Nations has called on the United States to retract Friedman's comments, saying that they are "deeply disturbing" and "in violation of international law." Friedman's comments are a reflection of the Trump administration's hardline stance on Israel. The administration has cut funding to the Palestinian Authority and has refused to criticize Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank. The administration has also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has been condemned by the Palestinians and the international community. The Trump administration's policies on Israel have been widely criticized by human rights groups and Palestinian officials. The policies have also been met with some resistance from within the Israeli government. In May, Israel's defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said that he does not agree with Friedman's comments about razing the Gaza Strip. It remains to be seen how the Trump administration's policies will impact the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The policies have already led to increased tensions between the two sides, and it is possible that they could lead to further violence.