More than 350 rabbis, alongside Jewish creatives and activists, have signed an advertisement in The New York Times condemning Donald Trump's proposal for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, calling it an "ethnic cleansing." The ad, signed by rabbis including Sharon Brous, Roly Matalon and Alissa Wise, as well as figures such as Tony Kushner, Ilana Glazer, Naomi Klein and Joaquin Phoenix, states: "Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say no to ethnic cleansing!" The advertisement follows Trump's proposal to "take over Gaza," leaving approximately 2 million Palestinians "no alternative" but to leave their homes after surviving Israel's military campaign in the territory. Trump has suggested Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations should take in Palestinians. These suggestions have been met with widespread criticism and condemned as an ethnic cleansing plan. Cody Edgerly, director of the In Our Name Campaign and one of the advertisement's organizers, said the action comes at "a critical time as political redlines that were once thought immovable are rapidly shifting as the Trump-Netanyahu alliance takes hold again." Edgerly noted that "it had been heartening to witness such a rapid outpouring of support from across the denominational and political spectrum." He added: "Our message to Palestinians is that you are not alone, our attention has not wavered, and we are committed to fighting with every breath we have to stop ethnic cleansing in Gaza." Rabbi Toba Spitzer, senior rabbi of congregation Dorshei Tzedek in Newton, Massachusetts, described Trump's proposal as an "insidious plan" that "evoked the painful legacy of the 1948 Nakba," during which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homes. In a news release accompanying the ad, Spitzer said, "It is vitally important that we in the American Jewish community add our voices to all those refusing to entertain this insidious plan. Hitler's dream of making Germany 'Judenrein,' 'cleansed of Jews,' led to the slaughter of our people." She also stated, "We know as well as anyone the violence that these kinds of fantasies can lead to. It is time to make the ceasefire permanent, bring all of the hostages home, and join in efforts to rebuild Gaza for the sake of and with the people who live there." Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, a signatory of the ad, said, "It is utterly horrifying to see the degree to which people who enjoy great legitimacy and respect in our community are willing to support something that would be considered one of the greatest crimes of the 21st century." Rabbi Yosef Berman of the New Synagogue Project in Washington, D.C., said Trump "seems to believe he is God with authority to rule, own, and dominate our country and the world." Berman added, "Jewish teaching is clear: Trump is not God and cannot take away Palestinians' inherent dignity or steal their land for a real estate deal. Trump's desire to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza is morally abhorrent. Jewish leaders reject Trump's attempts to wring profit from displacement and suffering and must act to stop this heinous crime." Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, Israel has launched a military campaign in Gaza. Over the last 16 months, Israeli forces have killed at least 48,200 Palestinians and displaced approximately 2 million people amid shortages of food, medical supplies, and fuel due to Israeli aid restrictions. In an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump said he would "own" Gaza and that it would be a "real estate development for the future." When asked whether Palestinians would have the right to return, Trump said, "No, they wouldn't." Trump, a former real estate developer, added, "In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent."
