An undeserved upgrade for Gazans

If there was an unruly and belligerent passenger, walking around and terrorizing all the passengers seated in the coach area of a flight, would you upgrade him to first-class?

As absurd as that sounds, it’s not much different from what is happening with the grandiose plans that are being prepared for a full-scale restoration of Gaza. Complete with futuristic, gleaming skyscrapers on the scale of Dubai, the project will include a “New Rafah with more than 100,000 permanent housing units, 180 skyscrapers, lots of hotels, 200 schools and more than 75 medical facilities.”

Officially introduced at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, last week, Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law dubbed it “The Masterplan,” his “vision for postwar Gaza.”

In his estimation, the only thing that could hold it back would be, “If Hamas does not demilitarize,” resulting in the failure for “the people of Gaza to achieve their aspirations.” Something tells me that these are not their aspirations but those of Kushner’s.

Nevertheless, this is the first-class upgrade, being planned for the same people who spent 20 years digging hundreds of underground tunnels to facilitate their secret plan to destroy the State of Israel. 

Let that sink in. A full makeover, the likes of which few countries have ever realized, let alone can imagine, is being slated for an unrepentant two million, many of whom sent out their young sons like lambs to the slaughter, knowing they’d never see them again. But that wasn’t important, because, after all, being a “shahid” - a holy martyr, would earn them their place in the life to come, so what could be better? 

These are also the people, who, when recently polled, many said they’d re-elect Hamas to govern them. Let us not forget that Hamas has refused to disarm, nor have they offered an apology to their own people for personally orchestrating their immense suffering. 

After leading them down the garden path of sure victory, Gaza, today, stands as a reminder of what happens when you attempt to annihilate the Chosen People. You’re left with a pile of rubble and nothing to show for it.

Nonetheless, if Hamas agrees to put down their weapons, they will be rewarded with a shiny new city, filled with all the bells and whistles! “Computer-generated images suggest a metropolis bearing a strong resemblance to Persian Gulf cities like Doha and Dubai, with gleaming waterside accommodations and office locations.”

And what is the anticipated outcome of this golden city? Kushner envisions a thriving coastal tourism business with its own bustling airport and loads of hotels to receive the happy vacationers. 

Two urban developments are being planned for the area, called the New Rafah and the New Gaza, estimated to be ready within two to three years. Didn’t we hear, just a few months ago, from President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff, that a full restoration project would take a minimum of 15 years to complete, given the massive bombing that took place, leaving whole areas with no ground foundation.

Now, we’re hearing two to three years. Is it me or does there seem to be a bit of disparity in that very optimistic estimation? But it’s not only the housing, hotels and airport which is enthusiastically being planned. There is an aspiration to turn this area into a major industrial hub, supplying jobs for all Gazans.  

One thing which didn’t go unnoticed, as Kushner introduced his plan at the Davos event, was that the lack of details as to how a massive operation of this scale would be pulled off, given that “80% of Gaza’s buildings are damaged or destroyed.”

According to Kushner, the financing of this gargantuan effort will begin with contributions made by various governments, hopefully followed by the private sector to whom he has appealed.

But Ramy Abdu, Palestinian founder of a human rights monitor group sees it a bit differently, per his post on X. From his way of thinking, he sees this as a “plan to eliminate the existence of Palestinians.” How, you may ask? Because he refers to it as “the domestication, subjugation and control of Gazans.”

In other words, if Gazans are not fighting for the destruction of Israel, they have no purpose. That, to him, is their sole raison d’etre.  

Perhaps, Zvika Klein, Jerusalem Post editor said it best.  In his estimation, the Gaza rebuilding plan sends a message that terrorism pays off. “Gaza gets a global reconstruction windfall for starting the war while Israel gets reprimanded for winning it. 

The message to every terrorist movement watching: Murder enough Jews on camera, hide behind civilians, survive long enough, and the international community arrives with reconstruction billions. Zero meaningful accountability required.”

In short, no lessons learned, no demand upon Gazans to change from their evil ways, and no expectations that there will be an end to the aspiration of a Middle East without a Jewish presence. 

So how does stylish architecture solve the problem of a people controlled by hatred? Does anyone believe that being provided with a clean slate will remove their longing for Israel’s destruction?

Their goals for acquiring our land will, sadly, never subside, especially when they’re being cheered on by antisemites around the globe who are rooting for their success and our demise.

Who’s kidding who? Will massive tourism and a chicken in every pot be the cure-all for the darkness which still lies deep in the souls of Gazans? Why is no one talking about plans to restore their hearts before their neighborhoods? The answer is simple – because without rejecting the false premise of their existence, eliminating Israel, they cannot be restored.  

In order to do that, they must be willing to see themselves as human beings, made in the image of God, whose value is something of great worth rather than a means to destroy others!  

Until they are able to make that switch, nothing will change. It’s a pity, but if people see themselves as agents of death rather than messengers of life, they will not only destroy others but themselves in the process.

That means that you can give them an upgrade, but, in the end, they will always choose the downgrade!