SCHNEIDER RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP COMMENTS ON GAZA STRIP
WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement regarding President Trump’s recent comments calling for a U.S. takeover of Gaza:
“I am a Zionist. I believe in the unshakable bond between the United States and Israel and have spent my life working to strengthen that relationship. I will continue to do everything in my power to support and protect the Jewish state in the homeland of the Jewish people.
“I also recognize the rights of the Palestinians and their connection to the land.
“Jews, Muslims and Christians, Arabs and Israelis, all belong to the Middle East and must together find a way to live side by side with civility, security, prosperity, and peace.
“Gaza, specifically, is home to two million people. But the people of Gaza cannot know peace or prosperity as long as Hamas reigns over them and continues to threaten Israel.
“That is why I worked with my Republican colleagues to establish the bipartisan Gaza Working Group—to find real, pragmatic solutions that match the magnitude of the challenge. The next time I speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I will make clear that America remains committed to Israel’s security—but that security cannot come at the cost of policies that invite endless instability.
“Ultimately, neither leaving Hamas in charge nor forcing two million Palestinians from their homes is a strategy for peace. Both are recipes for endless instability and suffering. The United States should instead work with our regional allies and European partners to help rebuild Gaza in a way that ensures lasting security for Israel, dignity for Palestinians, and stability for the broader region.
“President Trump’s proposal to forcibly remove two million Gazans is not just unworkable—it is immoral and illegal. Mass displacement violates fundamental human rights, international law, and the very values for which the U.S. and Israel stand. History has repeatedly shown that forced population transfers do not bring stability—they bring suffering, radicalization, and long-term insecurity. The world has seen this pattern before, and we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.
“We must break out of the box of historical thinking to create different possibilities for the future of the region. The challenges we face demand smart, visionary leadership which is why I helped establish the bipartisan Gaza Working Group—to find real, pragmatic solutions that match the magnitude of the moment. I remain committed to working with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to craft and support serious, sustainable solutions that advance peace, security, and prosperity for all.”
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