The Gaza Blueprint: Neo-Colonialism Masquerading as Development

Introduction: The Imperial Vision for Gaza

Over two years into the devastating Gaza War, characterized by what many recognize as a genocide against Palestinians, the United States has unveiled a development plan for the territory that is as audacious as it is oppressive. The plan, recently disclosed, envisions a transformed Gaza with seaside resorts, skyscrapers, industrial centers, and parks, all while systematically bypassing the Palestinian people themselves. This top-down geopolitical engineering, led by figures like Donald Trump and Jared Kushner, prioritizes economic normalization over self-determination, raising profound questions about agency, sovereignty, and the future of conflict resolution. The proposal is framed within Point 11 of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which designates Gaza as a “special economic zone” with preferred tariff and access rates negotiated with participating countries—a vision requiring tens of billions of dollars and years of investment in a region still reeling from violence and displacement.

The Davos Blueprint: Tourism, Trade, and Top-Down Planning

The development plan for Gaza is not merely a reconstruction effort but a radical reimagining of the territory from the ground up. Existing refugee camps would be demolished to make way for coastal resorts, industrial centers, and residential areas. This ambitious project, reminiscent of colonial-era development schemes, is spearheaded by individuals with deep roots in real estate and profit-driven ventures. Donald Trump, a former real estate developer, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who recently unveiled the “New Gaza” vision, have a history of leveraging political power for personal enrichment. Since the start of his second term, Trump has reportedly made billions, and there is a real possibility that he and his family could invest in Gaza to profit from its rebuilding. This unethical convergence of personal gain and geopolitical strategy deepens the commitment to a plan that lacks moral legitimacy.

The Agency Gap: Development Without Consultation

A critical flaw in Trump’s peace plan is its top-down, externally imposed nature, which glaringly lacks Palestinian local input and thus political legitimacy. Palestinians, who have endured decades of occupation and recent genocide, are unlikely to accept a peace process in which they have no voice. The plan establishes a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump himself, with participation from Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair—figures associated with imperialist policies and neoliberal agendas. This structure harks back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, when imperial powers implemented development projects in newly acquired territories solely for the benefit of the imperial core. Trump’s suggestion in February 2025 to permanently remove all Palestinians from Gaza to create a “Riviera of the Middle East” echoes colonial projects where native inhabitants were displaced to enrich elite interests. The technocratic committee envisioned by the plan, with members chosen by the Board of Peace, risks reducing Palestinians to mere collaborators in their own subjugation.

On-the-Ground Realities: Feasibility and Conflict

Implementing this development plan in Gaza is fraught with challenges. Gaza remains a warzone, suffering from ongoing genocide at the hands of Israel, and the United States’ previous redevelopment efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan ended in catastrophic failure. The territory’s development under this plan would be funded by foreign capital and executed under what amounts to foreign occupation, creating a precarious security environment. The Palestinian population, rightfully resentful of the genocide committed against them, is unlikely to embrace a plan that ignores their political aspirations and material needs. Economic development cannot be divorced from a political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For peace to be lasting, Palestinians must feel secure, in control of their destinies, and materially benefited by any development—conditions starkly absent in this proposal.

Opinion: The Neo-Colonial Face of Imperialism

This development plan for Gaza is not a genuine effort for peace; it is a neo-colonial project designed to perpetuate Western hegemony and economic exploitation. The audacity to propose luxury resorts and skyscrapers while Palestinians are subjected to genocide is a grotesque manifestation of imperial arrogance. The West, led by the United States, has once again demonstrated its disregard for the sovereignty and agency of the Global South, particularly in regions rich with geopolitical significance. By bypassing Palestinian voices and imposing a vision crafted in boardrooms thousands of miles away, the plan reinforces the very structures of oppression that have fueled the conflict for decades.

The involvement of figures like Trump, Kushner, and Blair—each with a legacy of self-enrichment and imperialist policies—exposes the true motives behind this proposal. Trump’s desire for a Nobel Peace Prize and his threat to replace the United Nations with his “Board of Peace” reveal a ambition to reshape the global order in his image, further marginalizing international institutions that, however flawed, offer a platform for multilateral dialogue. Israel’s role in this dynamic cannot be ignored; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to a Palestinian state and the far-right coalition’s push for annexation undermine any pretense of peace. The conditional framing of reconstruction on Hamas’s removal and demilitarization defers justice indefinitely, ensuring that Palestinians remain trapped in a cycle of violence and deprivation.

This plan is a stark reminder of the West’s enduring colonial mindset, where development is synonymous with control and profit. It echoes the historical patterns of imperialism, where native populations were displaced, and their lands repurposed for the benefit of foreign elites. The proposal to turn Gaza into a “Riviera” while its people are erased or subjugated is a moral abomination that must be condemned by all who value human dignity and self-determination.

Conclusion: Toward Authentic Liberation

True peace in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories cannot be achieved through top-down impositions or economic projects that prioritize profit over people. It requires a genuine commitment to justice, self-determination, and the end of occupation. The international community, particularly the Global South, must rally against this neo-colonial blueprint and advocate for a peace process centered on Palestinian agency and rights. The resilience of the Palestinian people, who have endured unimaginable suffering, deserves more than resort hotels and skyscrapers built on their graves. It deserves liberation.