Over 350 rabbis and Jewish activists have condemned Donald Trump’s proposal for the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza. A full-page ad in The New York Times strongly opposed Trump’s plan, labeling it as ethnic cleansing.
Prominent figures, including Tony Kushner, Ilana Glazer, Naomi Klein, and Joaquin Phoenix, joined the protest. The ad read, “Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say no to ethnic cleansing!”
Trump’s Controversial Proposal
Trump suggested that Palestinians should leave Gaza and settle in neighboring Arab countries. His remarks sparked outrage worldwide, with critics accusing him of advocating mass displacement. Many compared his proposal to the Nakba of 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes.
Arab leaders and human rights organizations have denounced Trump’s plan. Rabbi Toba Spitzer, a signatory of the ad, called it an “insidious” proposal. She compared it to the horrors of the Holocaust, warning of the dangers such ideas can unleash.
Jewish Voices of Dissent
Cody Edgerly, director of the In Our Name Campaign, stressed that this moment demanded moral clarity. “Our message to Palestinians is that you are not alone,” he said. “We are committed to fighting with every breath we have to stop ethnic cleansing in Gaza.”
Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, criticized members of the Jewish establishment who support Trump’s plan. “It is utterly horrifying to see respected figures endorsing what would be one of the greatest crimes of the 21st century,” he said.
Solidarity with Palestinians
Activist and comedian Ilana Glazer urged people to take a stand. “We, Jews, and all who care about human rights, must speak up. Palestinians must remain in their homeland and rebuild their lives in Gaza,” she said.
Rabbi Yosef Berman of the New Synagogue Project in Washington, DC, compared Trump’s actions to biblical tyranny. “Like Pharaoh, Trump believes he has divine authority to rule, own, and dominate,” Berman stated. “His desire to ethnically cleanse Palestinians is morally abhorrent.”
Call to Action
The ad’s organizers are urging people to take action against Trump’s proposal. They call on the public to amplify the message, donate to organizations supporting Palestinians, and pressure elected officials to reject US support for ethnic cleansing.
The movement emphasizes that Jewish values demand standing against injustice. With global attention on Gaza, these leaders insist that silence is not an option. They demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the rebuilding of Gaza alongside its people.
A Defining Moment in History
As the US and Israeli governments push forward with plans for forced removal, Jewish voices are making their stance clear. The ad’s message is firm: “We say no to ethnic cleansing.” Observers see this as a pivotal moment in history, where resistance to injustice must be unwavering.
The response from Jewish leaders underscores the urgency of the crisis. The fight against displacement, they insist, is a fight for human rights and dignity.
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