Afrasianet - Republican and Democratic members of Congress have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's statements to displace Gazans and U.S. control of the territory, calling the move ethnic cleansing.

Democratic Representative Al Green has filed an impeachment bill for US President Donald Trump, accusing him of "ethnic cleansing in Gaza" and calling Trump's remarks on Gaza "outrageous."

"Ethnic cleansing is not a joke, especially when it comes from the president of the United States, the most powerful person in the world who has the ability to do what he says, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be ashamed to stand there and allow these statements. Throughout history, ethnic cleansing has been a crime against humanity."

"I stand here today because the movement to impeach the president has begun. I stand here today to announce that I will indict the president for the heinous acts he proposed and committed," he said, adding that he laid the groundwork for the trial and impeachment of the U.S. president.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator X wrote: "Peace candidate Trump wants to force two million Palestinians from their homes and give another billion dollars in weapons to Netanyahu, and has prepared a plan to turn the devastated Gaza Strip into a billionaire Riviera. If this is his peace policy, I would hate to see his war policy."

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in televised remarks to CNBC that Trump's announcement "means committing ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians," adding that the Arab countries together announced weeks ago their rejection of the displacement proposal.

For his part, House member Jake Ochinclus, in statements to CNN, stressed that "this proposal is reckless and unreasonable, and may spoil the second phase of the ceasefire." "Two decades ago, former President George W. Bush made promises about building the American nation in two foreign countries, and that led to 20 years of wars that cost us two trillion dollars and thousands of American soldiers' lives. Now Trump is proposing the same irresponsible concepts."

Senator Chris called Trump's proposal "crazy" and said: "What has been said is crazy, and I can't think of a place on earth that is less welcoming and with no prospects for positive outcomes other than Gaza." Iraqi-American Alina Habba, Trump's chosen adviser defended his proposal in remarks to Fox News, saying Democrats should support it, and repeated the claim that the United States spent $50 million to buy "condoms" for Gazans.

Democratic Representative Jake O'Shenclus told the News Nation that the proposal was "reckless and unreasonable" and added that it could spoil the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"We have to look at Trump's motives. As always, when Trump proposes a political clause, there is a link to patronage and self-service."

Referring to Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, he said, "They want to turn this into resorts."

Democratic and Palestinian-American parliamentarian Rashida Tlaib said: "The Palestinians are not going anywhere. This president can only sow this bigoted nonsense because of partisan support in Congress to fund genocide and ethnic cleansing. It is time for my comrades in supporting the two-state solution to speak out."

Opposition to the proposal was not limited to Democrats, with a number of Republican members of Congress expressing their rejection of the plan to take control of the Strip.

Republican Senator Rand Paul said on X, "We shouldn't think of another occupation that would destroy our wealth and shed the blood of our soldiers."

Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who is known for his strong pro-Israel bias, voiced his opposition to the idea, telling reporters at the Capitol: "I don't think spending so much U.S. money in Gaza is the optimal use of our resources. I'd rather have it spent inside the country first, but let's see what happens," he said, adding that he did not believe sending U.S. troops to Gaza was the solution. Josh Hawley has repeatedly called for the dismissal of university students demonstrating for Palestinian rights, and for more than a year has defended the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham described the proposal in remarks to reporters as "problematic" and said: "We'll see what our Arab friends say about this. I think most South Carolina wouldn't be eager to send Americans to take control of Gaza. It could be difficult," he said, arguing that it would be a difficult place for U.S. troops. Senator Tom Tillis commented on Trump's remarks, according to Politico that "there may be some strange behavior or something abnormal in this charming person."
Source: RT + Agencies