Israeli Envoy Supports Trump's Gaza Initiative, Notes Differences with Biden Administration

New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Referencing instances from various conflict regions such as Ukraine and Syria, Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, expressed support for US President Donald Trump's suggestion to relocate Gaza's Palestinian populace to adjacent countries.

"There is an anomaly concerning Gaza. When examining conflicts both in the region and globally, the contrast is stark. For instance, during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, five million Ukrainians fled their homeland. Similarly, eight million Syrians sought refuge during the Syrian civil war. In any conflict area, people are permitted to seek safety until conditions improve, allowing for a return once the turmoil subsides. The only region where this seems not to be permitted is the Gaza Strip," Azar conveyed in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Wednesday.

Prior to his re-election, Trump committed to facilitating peace in West Asia and showed support for Israel following the October 7, 2023 attack, which he labeled as heinous.

Earlier this month, the US President introduced a strategy aimed at resolving the long-standing West Asia dilemma, proposing that the US take control of the Gaza Strip, which he characterized as a symbol of death and destruction for decades.

Azar, a seasoned diplomat, remarked that Trump's proposal is a very natural suggestion, as Gazans could be temporarily relocated to a safer environment until conditions improve.

"This is not something that will occur through coercion. It would be on a voluntary basis. If there are nations willing to accept Palestinians and provide refuge, we can facilitate this," he explained to IANS.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first foreign leader welcomed by the US President upon his return to the White House last month.

"We are optimistic because we observed the positive impact of the first Trump administration on the region. We achieved the Abraham Accords and saw significant benefits from that administration, including the US recognition of Jerusalem as our capital, the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, and the acknowledgment of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, among other advancements. Thus, we are hopeful that the current Trump administration can yield further progress," he stated.

Azar emphasized that while Israel has consistently maintained good relations with any American administration, there were some gaps during former President Joe Biden's term.

"We encountered some discrepancies regarding our efforts to defend against the Hamas assault. The administration previously urged us to refrain from certain operations, such as the Rafah operation, and delayed some weaponry that we required for defense. However, those constraints are no longer in place. We've clearly heard from President Trump that he will support Israel in any measures necessary for our defense. This is very encouraging," the Israeli Ambassador remarked to IANS.