US and Israel Approach East African Countries To Resettle Displaced Palestinians From Gaza; Would Kenya Accept the Proposal?

The United States and Israel have reportedly approached three East African governments—Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland—about the possibility of using their territories to relocate Palestinians displaced from Gaza,according to Associated Press.

This proposal, part of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s postwar plan, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised significant legal and ethical concerns.

Under Trump’s plan, Gaza’s two million residents would be permanently relocated, with the U.S. taking control of the territory, overseeing its cleanup, and redeveloping it. While Israel’s leadership has embraced the idea, Palestinians and Arab nations strongly oppose it, arguing that any forced or pressured displacement could amount to a war crime.

Human rights organizations have warned that any forced or pressured displacement could constitute a war crime.

Would Kenya Accept the Proposal?
Kenya, as a key East African nation, has not been directly mentioned in discussions regarding the relocation of Palestinians. However, several factors could influence its stance if approached by the U.S. and Israel:

1. Kenya’s Support for Israel in the Gaza Conflict
President William Ruto has publicly backed Israel’s actions in Gaza, signaling Kenya’s alignment with Israel on geopolitical matters. This stance could make Kenya more receptive to discussions on the proposed relocation.

2. Kenya’s Strong Bilateral Ties with the U.S.
Kenya has a history of close diplomatic and economic relations with the U.S. Recently, the U.S. supported Kenya’s leadership in deploying police forces to Haiti as part of an international security mission. Given this relationship, Kenya may be inclined to consider U.S. requests, including potential involvement in the Palestinian relocation plan.

3. Regional Considerations and Public Sentiment
While Kenya maintains strong ties with the U.S. and Israel, accepting Palestinian refugees in large numbers would be a highly sensitive issue. The country must weigh potential regional backlash, public opinion, and the ethical implications of participating in such a program.

4. Economic and Security Challenges
Hosting a displaced population would require significant resources and infrastructure investment. Additionally, Kenya must assess potential security risks and the long-term impact on its social and economic stability.

While Kenya has shown support for Israel and enjoys strong ties with the U.S., accepting a proposal to resettle Palestinians would be a complex decision. The Kenyan government would have to navigate diplomatic pressures, regional stability concerns, and domestic public opinion before committing to such an arrangement.