Palestinians in Gaza say they are determined to rebuild their own seafront restaurants and hotels, dismissing U. President Donald Trump’s controversial vision of creating a “Riviera of the Middle East” cleansed of its population and under US control.
Before Israel’s 15-month offensive left buildings across Gaza in ruins, the densely inhabited Palestinian territory had developed a local tourism scene on its Mediterranean shore despite a long Israeli blockade.
“There is nothing that cannot be repaired,” said Gaza resident Assad Abu Haseira, pledging to start serving food from the restaurant he owns even before it is rebuilt.
“Trump says he wants to change the restaurants, and he wants to change Gaza and wants to create a new history for Gaza. We remain Arab and the history of Arabs will not be replaced with the history of foreigners.”
Other Palestinians share his defiance. Mohammed Abu Haseira, another restaurant owner, said his eatery would become operational again “and much better than before”.
“Trump has come up with a decision that he wants to establish restaurants, but the restaurants are here and the hotels are here. Why did you destroy them to establish other ones?” he said.
