The way Trump described Gaza as an area that should not be rebuilt because of its “death and destruction” exceeded standard political statements.
The statement displays a systematic belief found in settler colonialism which seeks to destroy indigenous populations.
Trump joins a historical trend of settler colonialism when he states that Gaza functions best as an empty territory where its inhabitants should be removed to serve the goals of expansion and domination.
Settler Colonialism: The Logic of Ongoing Erasure
According to Dana & Jarbawi (2017), “Zionist settler colonialism, as its historical precedents suggest, is fundamentally based on the operative logic of eliminating the native.” Patrick Wolfe (2006) stated that “settler colonialism destroys to replace,” which means that settler colonialism exists beyond invasion because it means permanently destroying indigenous populations to allow new settler populations to establish residence. Settler colonialism operates differently from classical colonialism because while classical colonialism extracts work from indigenous people, settler colonialism aims to erase indigenous people altogether.
The position Trump took reflects this reasoning. Through his depopulation plan for Gaza he presents a fake humanitarian strategy to cover up his proposal of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian population. The plan exists to separate Gazans from their ancient homeland instead of being focused on their betterment.
Trump’s rhetoric reflects long-standing justifications for colonialism. The 19th-century doctrine of Manifest Destiny, for example, was used to rationalize the forced displacement of Native Americans by claiming that white settlers better managed their land. The manifesto is based on the philosophical foundation that whites have a divine responsibility to civilize indigenous peoples through superior technology and civilization.
The Role of External Powers in the Displacement of Indigenous Peoples
The same logic is evident in Trump’s framing of Gaza as “a demolition site” “which very dangerous and very precarious” so it would be better left vacated. Trump said that Gaza has been “an unlucky place for a long time.” He tried to frame Gaza as a place that is inherently “troubled” and full of “unlucky.” He erases the political and historical dimensions of Israel’s structural violence against Gaza and replaces it with a deterministic narrative that Gaza is “cursed.” Ignoring historical realities—decades of Israeli blockade, repeated military attacks, and the systematic destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure—Trump blames the plight of its people on the land itself.
The implementation of settler colonialism depends on settlers together with powers that operate from beyond the colony. Trump said, “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too, …create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing…” This framing positions US -an external power- as a savior. This rhetoric is similar to colonial discourse, in which the superpower justifies occupation by building local infrastructure and economies.
Furthermore, Trump suggested that wealthy Arab countries finance the relocation of Gazans. This idea adopted a model that has been used extensively in colonial history. For example, British colonial governments organized European settlements in North America, Australia, and South Africa while displacing indigenous people under the guise of civilization and economic development. By shifting responsibility for the relocation of Gazans to Arab countries, Trump reinforced the narrative that Palestinians have no inherent right to their land. This view reflects the long-standing Zionist idea that Palestine is a negotiable entity, not a home for a people with the right to self-determination.
The Resistance Will End the Zionist Colonial Dream
The promise of economic development is often used to justify settler colonialism. Trump envisions a scenario in which the US will “administer” Gaza, clear its ruins, and build new settlements in “safer and more beautiful” locations. However, this narrative ignores one fundamental aspect: settler colonialism is not just about land but also about the erasure of indigenous peoples.
Trump’s remarks are dangerous not only because they are provocative but also because they normalize the idea that forced displacement is an acceptable solution. This kind of rhetoric paves the way for policies that further erode Palestinian rights and legitimize Israeli expansion.
Settler colonialism persists temporarily in all regions, including the American continent, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. But in the end, colonial regimes fall through the combination of indigenous opposition together with international support alongside justice for past crimes. History will repeat itself in Palestine because the Palestinian people will continue to resist. For Palestinians, Gaza is not just a piece of land but part of their history, identity and struggle. The idea that they would willingly leave their land for economic incentives is an illusion of the colonialists. Although Israel currently has colonial power and seemingly unlimited domination, thanks to unconditional US and EU support, the resistance of the Palestinian people -along with the support of international community- will sooner or later destroy the Zionist colonial dreams.
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Dina Yulianti Sulaeman is an Assistant Professor at International Relations Department, Universitas Padjadjaran.
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