When my sons were younger, they had a way of expressing degrees of bad situations. Something could be “bad.” If it worsened, it became “worse.” And if it escalated further, it was “worser.”
Last night, their childhood terminology came to mind as I reflected on former President Donald Trump’s proposal regarding Gaza.
Trump has suggested that the United States should seize control of Gaza, forcibly remove its Palestinian population, and rebuild it into what he envisions as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Amid the flood of messages and social media reactions, there was an overwhelming sense of shock at such a proposal—though, undoubtedly, many still support it.
Since his presidency began, each day has felt like a series of political bombshells: granting pardons to those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, mass detentions of immigrants—including those who are legally present and law-abiding—controversial Cabinet picks, and audacious geopolitical proposals, such as taking over Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. Added to this was his mismanagement of the Washington, D.C., plane crash.
My sons’ phrase seems more relevant than ever—every day is “worser.”
And Trump’s Gaza vision? That might be the “worser” of them all.
Israeli political analyst and former ambassador Alon Pinkas ridiculed the idea as “comical,” adding that it “makes annexing Canada and buying Greenland seem much more practical in comparison.”
I wish I could find humor in this. I wish I could laugh alongside friends who joke about “Trump Tower Gaza” or “Gaza-Lago.” Even knowing that Trump’s son-in-law, real estate developer Jared Kushner, supports the idea provides no reassurance.
At his core, Trump is a businessman who sees the world through the lens of real estate deals. To him, Gaza represents an opportunity—miles of beachfront property ripe for redevelopment. In his vision, he and Kushner would transform a depopulated Gaza into a luxurious resort. While this would theoretically create jobs, in reality, it would serve as an American stronghold in an already volatile region.
As an American Jew, I see this plan as disastrous on multiple fronts.
First, from an American perspective, Trump’s idea is deeply flawed. It is difficult to imagine any legal framework under international law that would justify the forced takeover of foreign territory. Such an action would reinforce narratives of American imperialism and its colonial past.
The proposal would face opposition across the political spectrum. Even Trump’s staunchest supporters, those who rally behind his “America First” agenda, would struggle to justify it. As Senator Rand Paul put it, “I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood.”
Beyond being a poor idea, it is a dangerous one. My greatest fear is that such a move would provoke an increase in terrorist attacks targeting both Americans and Jews worldwide. For extremists, this proposal would present a perfect justification for violence—what could be described as a “twofer.”
From an Israeli standpoint, Trump’s plan is equally detrimental. If Israel continues to surrender to its most extreme right-wing elements, embodied by figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, it risks the very foundation of Zionism. Furthermore, even entertaining the idea of an American takeover of Gaza could jeopardize ongoing negotiations for hostage releases. It would undo years of diplomatic efforts and the moral standing that Israel has worked tirelessly to uphold.
The ramifications of this plan are unacceptable on many levels.
It is intolerable from an American foreign policy perspective.
It is intolerable for the people of Gaza.
It is intolerable for Israel.
It is intolerable for the Jewish people. As a historically displaced people—who are currently reading about the Exodus from Egypt in synagogue—Jews would feel an acute sense of unease at such a proposal.
And it is intolerable for the next generation of Jews. The Book of Exodus asks, “And when your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’” Today, young American Jews are increasingly asking, “What does Israel mean to you—and to me?” The already fragile bond between Israel and young American Jews risks being severed entirely.
Some dismiss Trump’s remarks as mere rhetoric, arguing that he is simply throwing out ideas without a concrete plan. Perhaps an alternative exists—one in which the U.S. and Saudi Arabia collaborate on a Marshall Plan-style reconstruction of Gaza, focused on benefiting its Palestinian residents rather than transforming it into a Middle Eastern version of Miami Beach. Maybe this plan envisions a post-Hamas Gaza. Maybe it even lays the groundwork for genuine Palestinian sovereignty.
Maybe.
If Trump were to achieve true peace, security, and dignity for all people in the region, I would be the first to stand and applaud him.
But this proposal? This plan? This vision?
No.