MOGADISHU, Somalia – Puntland state has opposed a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to take over Gaza and relocate all Palestinians to its territory in northeastern part of Somalia.
Puntland said Palestinians should remain in Gaza and live in peace and prosperity in their own homeland.
The refusal follows a Telegraph article quoting Puntland’s deputy information minister, Yacob Abdalla, saying that the region would welcome Palestinians.
“Abdalla’s comments in The Telegraph are his personal views and do not represent Puntland,” said a statement from the region’s Ministry of Information.
The ministry said Puntland would continue respecting the rights of Palestinians to live in their own homeland.
Minister Abdalla condemned the Telegraph’s article, which was published on Saturday. He also accused the magazine of misrepresenting him.
“I never said that Puntland is prepared to host Palestinian refugees. My remarks are intentionally misquoted”, Minister Abdalla said.
He said his remarks had simply affirmed that they would uphold the rule of law and respects international conventions on migration and human rights.
“I urge media outlets to report accurately”, he said.
However, Somalia has long been advocating for the end of Israel’s occupation in Gaza and a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
