Daddy and Don

Yesterday, President Donald Trump held a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and genocide. During the conference, Trump declared, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip!” When asked if he would send American troops into Gaza, he responded, If it is necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that place and we’re going to develop it!

To be clear, Trump is openly advocating for imperialism. He is not only pledging to support Israel’s military actions but is saying that the U.S. will seize and occupy the Gaza Strip. His remarks imply that American troops would act as an extension of the Israeli military—invading, clearing out the area, and rebuilding it for the benefit of the west. Trump has received over $300 million from pro-Israel interest groups, and now, it appears they are calling in their favors.

The Gaza Strip does not belong to the United States, nor does it belong to Israel—it is Palestinian land. Even compared to the foreign interventions of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, this would be an unprecedented escalation. Imagine if Canada announced it was going to take over Montana and Alaska, forcibly remove people, and rebuild the land to suit its own interests—how would Americans react?

This marks the beginning of a dangerous and dark chapter in both U.S. and world history. It is a test of conscience: How will people respond? What will they say or do?