Congresswoman Simon Strongly Opposes President Trump's Plan for the U.S. to "Own" Gaza

February 6, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement: "The President's comment about the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip, developing the region, and displacing more than 2 million Palestinians is incredibly disturbing and unacceptable. "Let me be clear -- the suggestion for the U.S. to "own" the Gaza Strip is a call for ethnic cleansing and blatant disregard for international law. It also threatens an already fragile ceasefire that will bring home the hostages and relief to Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced untold suffering. "We have a collective duty to do everything we can to maintain the ceasefire, prevent the spread of further violence, and usher the region into a period of peace, stability, and reconstruction." ###