Blockchain "Riviera" Plan Sparks Ethical Clash Over Gaza's Future

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring a post-war plan for Gaza that involves tokenizing land and using digital assets to manage the relocation and rehousing of residents, potentially under a U.S.-led trusteeship for at least a decade. According to a 38-page prospectus titled the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust), the plan would see 2 million Gazans participate in a "voluntary" displacement program, offering them tokens for their land that could be later exchanged for housing in up to eight "AI-powered smart cities" or for relocation elsewhere. Temporary housing and food would also be subsidized for up to four years under the proposal [1].

The plan has sparked significant controversy and condemnation, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations labeling the proposal as a "war crime of historic proportions" due to its perceived violations of international law and ethics [1]. Critics argue that the proposal effectively amounts to the mass theft of Palestinian land and undermines the rights of Gaza’s residents. The Washington Post reported that the plan was developed by the individuals involved in the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with financial planning conducted by a team previously associated with the Boston Consulting Group [1].

A central component of the proposal involves the tokenization of Gaza’s land using blockchain technology. Land would be split into tokens to allow for "fractional ownership," enabling investors to purchase shares and potentially trade them on cryptocurrency markets. These tokens would be recorded on a blockchain registry, creating a transparent yet contentious system for land ownership [1]. Additionally, the scheme envisions reinvesting returns into a Palestinian Wealth Fund for future Gazans, though the plan becomes more profitable with an increased number of residents leaving the territory [1].

The proposal outlines a vision for Gaza’s post-war development that includes the construction of six to eight "modern and AI-powered smart cities," along with 10 "mega-projects." These projects include ports, a highway, a railway, an AI data center, and artificial resort islands reminiscent of Dubai. The GREAT Trust claims these developments could attract $100 billion in investment, with the value potentially quadrupling within a decade [1]. This transformation aligns with Trump’s broader vision of turning Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East," although no U.S. government funding is expected, with the plan relying on public and private investment [1].

While supporters view the plan as a bold and innovative approach to reconstruction, opponents warn of significant human and ethical costs. Many residents of Gaza have expressed that no amount of financial incentive could compel them to leave their homeland, highlighting the deep emotional and cultural ties to the region. The international community remains divided, with some viewing the plan as a potential pathway for economic and technological development, while others see it as a violation of basic human rights and international norms [1]. The geopolitical ramifications of such a plan, particularly under a U.S.-led initiative, are likely to remain a contentious and divisive issue in global political discourse.

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[1] Will the U.S. Take Over Gaza? Trump's $100B Blockchain Plan Explained (https://coinpedia.org/news/will-the-u-s-take-over-gaza-trumps-100b-blockchain-plan-explained/)