Gazans Sound Off on Biden's Immigration Offer, Campus Protests

Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip have mixed reactions to the Biden administration's immigration plan and pro-Hamas protests on college campuses.

The White House is considering the resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the United States, sparking concerns about the potential for terrorism and failed assimilation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced in early May that the administration is "constantly evaluating policy proposals to further support Palestinians who are family members of American citizens and may want to come to the United States."

This proposal has faced criticism from experts, who warn that Hamas, the US-designated terrorist organization that controls Gaza, has instilled a dangerous mix of antisemitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American sentiment in the region's population. Pinhas Inbari, a veteran Arab affairs analyst and correspondent in Israel, believes that Gazans have been brainwashed by Hamas's ideology and cannot be transplanted into the US without years of education.

He compared the plan to "taking al-Qaeda to the US." "They are educated to hate America and Christians. They think if they hate Jews they will not hate Christians. They are mistaken. Al Qaeda hates Christians before Jews."

In Gaza, reactions to the immigration plan and pro-Hamas campus protests were mixed. One elderly Palestinian expressed his belief that Israel and the US were working to force Palestinians to emigrate. A younger man, however, expressed a desire to relocate.

A middle-aged man said he would encourage his children to emigrate for their well-being. A woman expressed support for Hamas and the campus protests, while a man vehemently opposed immigration.

The US State Department clarified that all individuals from Gaza who travel to the US are thoroughly vetted, with priority given to the safety and security of the American people. The department emphasized that it "categorically rejects any actions leading to the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank or the redrawing of the borders of Gaza."

Syrian-born American journalist Hayvi Bouzo criticized the Biden administration's vetting process, highlighting the difficulty of identifying those involved in Hamas's terrorist activities. He believes the administration's policies have alienated Palestinian and Arab groups and failed to effectively address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bouzo emphasizes the need for thorough vetting to identify potential national security threats and suggests that Egypt should continue to welcome Gazan refugees while the US provides aid until it is safe for them to return home.

Inbari expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that if the United Arab Emirates takes responsibility for rebuilding Gaza, it could bring a "positive Islam" to the enclave, leading Gazans to realize the extent of Hamas's indoctrination.