Dick Morris, a former adviser to both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, expressed concerns about Trump’s plans to rebuild Gaza, suggesting that the initiative could be a mistake. In an appearance on Newsmax, Morris said, “While Netanyahu applauded Trump’s involvement with Gaza and talked about it, I think it could be a mistake.”
Last week, Trump, alongside Netanyahu, revealed a proposal to permanently relocate displaced Palestinians from Gaza, with the U.S. assuming control of the region once the conflict between Israel and Hamas comes to an end. On Friday, Trump reaffirmed his stance, stating that once the fighting between Israel and Hamas concludes, Israel would cede the land to the United States.
However, Morris expressed doubts about the feasibility of this plan, citing two major reasons for his reservations. He remarked, “If Americans are even vaguely involved, the potential for casualties for American troops, I think, is very high.” He went on to explain that he wasn’t convinced it was practical for Israel to first stabilize Gaza and then allow Trump to take over as a civilian developer. More importantly, Morris warned of a political risk, pointing out how past presidents have often been sidetracked by foreign policy while neglecting domestic priorities.
He referenced President Woodrow Wilson, who initially focused on domestic reforms before becoming consumed by World War I, the Versailles Treaty, and the League of Nations. Morris also brought up the example of President Lyndon Johnson, who launched the Great Society programs but became bogged down by the Vietnam War. In Trump’s case, Morris argued, the America First movement is calling on him to focus more on domestic issues and reduce his engagement with other countries.
The issue of Palestinian refugees, Morris noted, has long been a contentious one in the Middle East. “Originally, they were all in Jordan … and Jordan kicked them all out to Lebanon. And then Lebanon kicked them all out to Gaza,” he said, adding, “Basically, nobody wants them.” Morris expressed skepticism about whether there is a clear resolution to the situation, stating, “I agree that this could be a pressure tactic, but I’m not sure where it’s going.”
Morris also discussed the Democrats’ criticisms of Elon Musk and his push to cut government spending through his Department of Government Efficiency. “Elon Musk here is kind of like a duck decoy,” he explained, suggesting that attacks on Musk are distracting from the broader political issues, particularly those involving the president. Trump, Morris argued, is “very wisely” leveraging Musk’s influence, noting Musk’s control over X and his substantial wealth. Morris highlighted how Musk has used his resources to back primary campaigns against Republicans who resist Trump’s agenda.
Morris also praised Musk for his efforts to promote openness in social media, noting, “Social media was a preserve of the Democrats, and now the Republicans are dominating social media.” He acknowledged that Musk is doing a good job in making social platforms more transparent.
{Matzav.com}