'Our land is part of us': UAE's Palestinians reject Trump’s Gaza takeover plan

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Palestinians in the UAE have widely rejected US President Donald Trump's recent proposal to “take over” the Gaza Strip, saying that it disregards the sacrifices they have made and the hardships they have endured to remain in their homeland despite conflict, death, destruction and displacement.

Mr Trump’s comments, made during a White House news conference, suggested the US could assume control of Gaza as he said he wanted to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. He also raised the possibility of relocating Gazans to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan.

The proposal has faced widespread opposition across the Middle East but shows no sign of losing momentum, with Israel’s defence minister on Thursday telling the army to prepare for the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians.

But for Rabab Abu Taha, 47, a UAE resident of 45 years and a postgraduate researcher in journalism, Mr Trump’s statements are not only impractical but also unfair. “How can someone from a country thousands of miles away decide the fate of another nation?” Ms Abu Taha said. “People have the right to determine their own future.”

Ms Abu Taha also pointed to what she sees as a contradiction in Mr Trump’s approach. “He advocates for reducing immigration to the US so America remains for its people, yet he suggests that the indigenous people of another country be removed from their homeland, the place they belong to. Even Arab governments that have taken strong positions on the Palestinian cause have rejected this.”

US President Donald Trump, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. EPA

Determination is key

With most of her family still in Gaza, including her siblings, uncles, and aunts, Ms Abu Taha emphasised that Gazans have already demonstrated their determination to stay and she believes the international community will stand with the Palestinian cause. “People have returned to their homes despite the destruction. Neither war nor death has driven them away, and nothing will force them out,” she said. “I believe in the strength of humanity, and I trust that the world will stand against injustice.”

Fathi Abu Seedo, 62, a Palestinian who has lived in the UAE for more than four decades, said Mr Trump’s proposal brings back fears he felt after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. These fears had momentarily subsided when a ceasefire was announced in January, but they have resurfaced after the American firebrand's intervention.

“For the first time in months, I felt like I had my life back because my family in Gaza was safe, even if just temporarily,” Mr Abu Seedo said. “Now this statement brings back a sense of fear and uncertainty. Has anyone even asked the Palestinian people in Gaza what they want? Like all people they have the right to decide their own destiny, rebuild their lives, and live with dignity in their homeland.

“They have endured immense challenges but they must hold on to the belief that their destiny is in God’s hands,” Mr Abu Seedo said. “The world must recognise that peace is not achieved through control, but through justice and the right of people to govern themselves.”

Bravery earns international respect

The resilience of the Gazan people, despite unimaginable suffering, is something that continues to astonish many. “Imagine the extent of the destruction and the lives lost, and still they are happy to go back to ruined homes and stay in a destroyed city,” said Palestinian Sahar, 39, who works in the medical field in the UAE and has lived in the country since 2002.

She emphasised that the deep-rooted connection to the land is what keeps people steadfast despite adversity. “We have to think what the mindset of the people of Gaza is. They are resilient and have strong roots with the land. They will never leave. They will live in tents on the ruins of their homes.”

Born in Lebanon after her family were displaced from Palestine, Sahar was astonished about Mr Trump’s comments. “I’m really surprised at this confidence he has that he can control the Middle East,” she said. “I ask who are you and Elon Musk to think you have control over the whole world. Please leave people in this region alone.

“Our land and our home country is part of us,” she added. “Wherever in the world you live it makes up your mindset, your opinions, it is your life.”

The war in Gaza has resulted in the loss of more than 47,000 Palestinian lives and wounded more than 111,000, with much of the enclave in ruins.

Palestinians return to northern Gaza – in pictures

Displaced Palestinians make their way back to their homes in northern Gaza after Israel allowed them to return. Reuters

Their return had been held up by a dispute over the release of Israeli hostages held in the enclave. Reuters

Palestinians are reunited as displaced people return to northern Gaza. Reuters

Palestinians in northern Gaza wait to welcome returnees from the south. Reuters

A man and child make their way home, in northern Gaza. Reuters

Palestinians on Salah Al Din Road wait to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Reuters

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The Details

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”