MUI Speaks of 'Malice' Behind Trump's Gaza Plan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council () Anwar Abbas suspects there is a malicious intent behind U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Palestinian residents out of Gaza. This is due to Trump's staunch support for Israel, which advocates for the establishment of Greater Israel, with its territory stretching from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq, including Palestine, southern Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

"Donald Trump sees the necessity of relocating the population of Gaza to another country so that Israel's intention to establish Greater Israel as dreamed of by the Zionists can be realized," said Anwar in his official statement on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Anwar believes that Trump's idea is aimed at forcing the Palestinian people to leave their land so that Gaza is fully controlled by Israel. Trump's evil plan becomes more apparent in his statement that the Palestinians will no longer have the right to return to the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, Anwar highlights the United States' desire to take over the Gaza Strip entirely. This condition could spark resistance from the Palestinian people.

"It seems that the Middle East is not far from becoming the third graveyard for the United States after Vietnam and Afghanistan. We will wait and see," he said.

Anwar also mentioned Trump's statement about wanting to relocate Palestinian residents to Indonesia. According to him, many Indonesians accept the idea for humanitarian reasons, especially because Indonesia has long been known as a nation that is very persistent and consistent in defending the rights of the Palestinian people.

"But many people in this country also reject it because they know there is malice behind Donald Trump's plan," he said.

In a Reuters report, Trump pressured Jordan's King Abdullah II to accept Palestinian refugees permanently under the plan to annex the Gaza Strip at a meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. King Abdullah stated that his country strongly opposes this move.

In a meeting with Arab rulers at the White House, Trump indicated that he would not change his idea to relocate Palestinians from the Strip, which has been shaken by Israel's attacks, and turning the war-torn area into what he called the "Riviera of the Middle East." 

Ida Rosdalina contributed to the writing of this article.

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