A PRESS STATEMENT

 

When they are told: “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they reply: “We are only peace-makers!” (Noble Qur‘ān 2:11)

 

The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) expresses revulsion at the statements made on Gaza, by US president Donald Trump on the basis of “might-is-right.” Devoid of morality, these statements are designed to give legitimacy to violations of international conventions that recognise historical and undeniable Palestinian rights to their lands.

 

As he feted Benjamin Netanyahu, a war-crimes suspect wanted by the International Criminal Court, Trump followed up his ethnic-purging suggestion of a “clean out” of Gaza with more outrageous remarks of a US takeover of the Strip. From his statement, Trump intends to “level” Gaza and “create economic development”, under a US “long-term” ownership, after permanently displacing Palestinians from the territory.

 

Nonetheless, these statements are not surprising, considering the manner in which the whole Zionist genocidal machine has been unleashed on Gaza, with an almost unbridled backing of the US. The recent developments in Jenin under the Trump Administration’s watch, are a testament that regardless of who is in the White House, the US shall consistently guarantee both material support as well as political and diplomatic cover for Israel, as the Zionists aim at the annihilation of the Palestinians.

 

What is new is the brazenly manner in which a leader of the supposed “Free World” would openly call for such a war crime of forcibly removing Palestinians, contrary to international norms, conventions and humanitarian laws, particularly on a people under an occupation.

 

After 15 months of genocide, Palestinians remain on the ground and the scenes of their recent return to Northern Gaza are a clear testimony of their determination to stay, albeit in the rubble. A mere sense of Palestinian resolve to stay in Gaza, in spite of the total destruction of their livelihoods, amidst daily mass murders and massacres of innocent civilians, would inform that such a nefarious project would be a non-starter.

 

So far, the leaders of the supposed destination countries, in Egypt and Jordan, have rejected the idea of relocating Palestinians. Notably, Saudi Arabia, has also opposed the idea of displacing Palestinians, predicating any prospects of relations with Israel on a Palestinian state. No self-respecting leader in the region would accept ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland, yielding to hyper-capitalist interests, just to facilitate a usurpation of covetous colonists prospecting for real estate.

 

JUSA calls on all the countries in the region and across the world, to challenge this echo from the White House of the Balfour Declaration, which represents an expression of intent to take and give what one does not possess. Solidarity requires of us to end the long-suffering of a people by demanding an end to the occupation so that Palestinian aspiration for freedom and statehood can be realised.

 

Released by:

The Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

06 Sha‘bān 1446 / 05 February 2025