Gaza City (TDI): Palestinians in Gaza say they are determined to rebuild their own seafront restaurants and hotels, dismissing US President Donald Trump’s vision of creating a “Riviera of the Middle East” emptied of its population and under US control.
Before Israel’s 15-month aggression left buildings across Gaza in ruins, the densely inhabited enclave had developed a local tourism scene on its Mediterranean shore despite a long blockade.
“There is nothing that cannot be repaired,” said Gaza resident Assad Abu Haseira, vowing to start serving food from the restaurant he owns even before it is rebuilt, Reuters reported.
“Trump wants to reshape Gaza’s restaurants and rewrite its history, but we remain Arab and the history of Arabs will not be replaced with the history of foreigners.”
Other Palestinians share his defiance. Mohammed Abu Haseira, another restaurant owner, stated his restaurant would become operational again “and much better than before”.
Gaza was once a popular destination for Israeli tourists and even after the takeover of the enclave by Hamas in 2007, beachside restaurants and cafes lined its seafront.
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Trump’s vision of a Gaza Strip cleared of its Palestinian inhabitants and redeveloped into a global resort revived an idea previously floated by his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
It triggered condemnation from around the globe, with critics saying it would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing and illegal under international law.
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Gazans also denounced the scheme immediately, pledging never to leave the ruins of their homes.
