‘Unacceptable’ – European countries reject Trump’s proposal for Gaza, reaffirm support for ‘two-state solution’

U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to "take over" Gaza, evacuating a large part of the Palestinian population in order to turn the devastated enclave into the "Riviera of the Middle East" has received strong criticism from European leaders.

Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s minister of Foreign Affairs, provided a response which typified that of many centrist European politicians. “An expulsion of the Palestinian civilian population from Gaza would not only be unacceptable and contrary to international law. It would also lead to new suffering and new hatred,” Baerbock said. “There must be no solution over the heads of the Palestinians.”

France and Germany, allies of Israel in recent years, have been supportive of Israel’s security concerns, while France has been more vocal in advocating for what it calls should be a more balanced approach in peace negotiations. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine echoed Baerbock’s concerns.

“France reiterates its opposition to any forced displacement of the Palestinian population of Gaza, which would constitute a serious violation of international law, an attack on the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, but also a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a major destabilizing factor for our close partners Egypt and Jordan as well as for the entire region,” Lemoine said in a statement for the ministry.

He continued, saying that the future of Gaza should not be controlled by a third country. “Gaza's future must lie not in the prospect of control by a third State but in the framework of a future Palestinian State, under the aegis of the Palestinian Authority,” he added, reiterating the traditional European perspective.

It is important to note that countries like Ireland and Spain have as of late been less supportive of Israel – and at times harsh critics – and have expressed stronger sympathies toward the Palestinian cause. They, alongside Norway, even went as far as to formally recognize Palestine as its own independent state.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares pushed back on Trump’s proposal. “I want to make something very clear: Gaza is the land of Palestinian Gazans and they must remain in Gaza,” Albares stated, also linking it to the two-state plan. “Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state.”

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris was also quick to speak of the need for a two-state solution, saying, “We need a two-state solution, and the people of Palestine and the people of Israel both have a right to live in states safely side by side and that’s where the focus has to be.”

“Any idea of displacing the people of Gaza anywhere else would be in clear contradiction with UN Security Council resolutions," Harris added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also addressed Trump’s suggested plan for Gaza during a question and answer session in the British Parliament, resisting any attempt to displace the people of Gaza. “They must be allowed home,” Starmer said of the Gaza residents. “They must be allowed to rebuild, and we should be with them in that rebuild on the way to a two-state solution.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed Starmer’s support for the two-state idea. “We must see Palestinians able to live and prosper in their homelands in Gaza, in the West Bank. That is what we want to get to,” Lammy stated.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani did not outright reject Trump’s plan, but indicated that he saw some difficulties in implementing the plan. “It seems to me that as far as the evacuation of the civilian population from Gaza is concerned, the response of Jordan and Egypt has been negative, so it seems to me that it is a bit difficult (to implement the plan)," Tajani said.

Right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders represented one of the lone European voices who appeared to accept Trump’s suggestion. “As I always said: Jordan = Palestine,” Wilders posted to 𝕏. “Let Palestinians move to Jordan. Gaza-problem solved!”

Very true @realDonaldTrump!

As I always said:

Jordan = Palestine.

Let Palestinians move to Jordan. Gaza-problem solved! https://t.co/WgZSPtxwvj pic.twitter.com/Ge6edGPZbF

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) February 4, 2025

However, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp, quickly released a contrary statement, representing the official government position. 

"For the Netherlands, there is no doubt: Gaza belongs to the Palestinians," Veldkamp said. "Our position is and remains unchanged: the Netherlands supports a two-state solution. That means an independent, viable Palestinian state alongside a safe Israel.”