I am outraged by the barbaric suggestion put forward by President Trump that the United States should “take over” the Gaza Strip. This proposal is utterly unhumanitarian, undemocratic, and uncivilised —an idea with no precedent among leaders of any superpower in recent history.
It is inconceivable that the leader of a global superpower would run U.S. policy and exercise international leadership as if he were a real estate developer, appraising land for its profit potential rather than, or even as opposed to safeguarding human lives and upholding justice.
Such a cavalier, profit-driven mindset not only reduces human lives to mere assets but also risks shattering America’s credibility on the world stage. When a nation is seen to treat geopolitics like a property portfolio, it loses the moral authority that underpins diplomatic influence—a dangerous precedent that could embolden adversaries, erode alliances and even disrupt the global order.
This policy would flagrantly violate international law. It directly contravenes Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state, and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bans the forcible transfer of civilians from occupied territory. Moreover, the forced displacement of nearly two million people would amount to ethnic cleansing and could even meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention.
I echo the stern warnings of leading international law experts who maintain that any policy of forced displacement is tantamount to committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. To even entertain a policy that strips people of their right to return to their homeland is a preposterous affront to the very principles of human dignity and international justice.
On behalf of the DAP International Bureau, and as someone dedicated to fighting for justice—both in Parliament and as the former President of the International Union of Socialist Youth— I call on the international community to reject this monstrous proposal in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification for such an inhumane and illegal policy. We must stand united in upholding international law and protecting the rights of the Palestinian people.
Howard Lee
Member of Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP) Central Executive Committee
Member of DAP International Bureau
Member of Malaysian Parliamentary Special Select Committee Member for International Trade and Foreign Affairs
Fomer President of International Union of Socialist Youth
