The Audacity of Global Coloniality: Trump, Netanyahu, and the Wholesale Hijacking of Palestine

In a staggering display of neo-colonial ambition, U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on 4 February 2025 a proposal for the United States to assume control over the Gaza Strip. This plan involves the forced displacement of Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, followed by the redevelopment of the area into what Trump envisions as the “Riviera of the Middle East” (The Australian).

This proposal is not just audacious—it is a blatant reassertion of settler-colonial logic and a fundamental violation of international law. The forced removal of an entire population amounts to ethnic cleansing, and global actors must respond accordingly. Already, nations like Saudi Arabia have rejected the plan, reaffirming their commitment to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital (The Times).

Trump’s Smoke and Mirrors: Lessons from South Africa’s Land Reform

This situation should encourage South Africans to reflect on their own history and current land reform challenges. Trump’s previous rhetoric about so-called land seizures in South Africa—framing black land reform efforts as a form of reverse racism—was a political distraction from the larger global trends of land dispossession. While he was stoking fears about “land grabs” in South Africa, his administration and ideological counterparts were laying the groundwork for the wholesale hijacking of an entire country: Palestine.

South Africa's history provides valuable lessons on how land reform processes can be mischaracterised for political gain. The discourse surrounding land ownership and historical justice must be carefully navigated to avoid being co-opted by forces with imperialist agendas. Local right-wing formations—such as AfriForum, and movements like “Keep the Cape Separate”—must critically assess their own positions. Are they advocating for historical justice and inclusion, or are they inadvertently reinforcing settler-colonial narratives? Their rhetoric often mirrors the language of those who argue for the reclamation of land and governance by a perceived rightful historical authority—ironically, much like the project being pursued by Trump and Netanyahu in Gaza.

The Silence of the International Community

The most concerning aspect of this proposal is the near-total inertia from global leaders, sovereign states, and structures like the United Nations. Their failure to act decisively against Trump’s imperialist fantasies not only emboldens far-right agendas but also erodes the last vestiges of global justice. What does it say about the so-called rules-based international order if such a proposal is even entertained? The very idea should trigger immediate diplomatic and economic sanctions against Trump and his political backers.

Trump’s position is an outright reversion to an imperialist and colonialist world order that has supposedly been dismantled. The idea of the United States seizing and administering Gaza is not a break with history—it is history repeating itself, but this time under the full glare of international scrutiny. And yet, the silence is not just deafening, its deadly.

The Profit Motive: Turning Gaza into a Playground for the Wealthy

Trump’s interest in Gaza is not purely ideological—it is also economic. As a real estate developer, his dream of transforming Gaza into a luxury tourism hub raises critical questions about profiteering under the guise of humanitarian intervention. The Gaza Strip, with its 75 kilometres of coastline and Mediterranean climate, is prime land for high-end tourism.

Historically, the now-dismantled Israeli settlements in Gaza—such as Gush Katif—generated an estimated $200 million annually through agriculture and trade. The economic potential of Gaza, once free from its Palestinian inhabitants, is staggering. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has previously hinted at turning Palestine into a real estate investment, describing the West Bank and Gaza as regions with “great economic promise” if only they could be properly developed (The Guardian). The so-called redevelopment of Gaza, spearheaded by the United States and its financial backers, would be nothing more than the looting of Palestinian land for private capital. The ultimate beneficiaries of this plan are not ordinary Americans, but the billionaire class and international investors.

The Global Ramifications: The Rise of New-Age Imperialism

This proposal is not just about Palestine—it is a blueprint for the return of colonial conquest under new justifications. If Trump’s project is successful, it will embolden similar far-right forces across the world. In South Africa, where racial and economic tensions remain high, it highlights the importance of inclusive and fair governance when dealing with historical injustices.

The South African experience demonstrates the necessity of policies that balance redress with sustainable development. If mismanaged, land reform efforts can become political tools that serve narrow interests rather than justice. The same logic that Trump and Netanyahu apply to Gaza could be exploited by separatists in the Western Cape or reactionary movements that argue that “the wrong people” are controlling the land. To avoid such pitfalls, nations must ensure that land justice frameworks are robust, transparent, and inclusive.

International  solidarity in action, not symbolism

The international community must not be complicit in this new brand of colonialism. Countries like Germany, Canada, Britain, Sweden, and the European Union must send an unambiguous message to Trump that his remarks are not only outrageous but criminal.

The United States’ political elite must also recognise that Netanyahu is facing ongoing allegations of crimes against humanity, and Israel is currently the subject of a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. These facts cannot be ignored in diplomatic discussions. To allow the U.S. to annex Gaza under the pretence of “redevelopment” would be to legitimise state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing.

From an African perspective, the continent should be positioning itself independently in relation to these developments. This is not just an issue for Palestinians—it is a direct attack on the principles of self-determination and sovereignty. African nations should be at the forefront of condemning Trump’s actions, as they themselves have suffered under the very same logic of colonial occupation.

A Final Thought: The Power of Historical Lessons

The last time the world tolerated such blatant colonial aggression; it ended in catastrophe. The ongoing erosion of democratic institutions, the manipulation of executive orders to serve private interests, and the glorification of corporate imperialism are reshaping the global political order.

If the world does not respond, it will be signalling its acceptance of a new era of settler-colonial rule. This is not just about Trump or Netanyahu. This is about the long-term trajectory of global governance. Learning from history is critical to ensuring that justice prevails over imperial conquest.

The battle lines have been drawn: on one side, the forces of justice and decolonisation; on the other, the forces of imperial conquest and corporate profit. There is no middle ground. The world must choose. Now.