U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to build into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” once he empties it of the Palestinians. The comments were greeted with pleasant surprise in Israel. But for Palestinians,

Although the president had been talking about the idea for weeks, there had been no meetings on the subject, and senior members of his government were taken by surprise.

The ideal of remaining on one’s land despite threats of expulsion is at the heart of the Palestinians’ struggle and self-identity, and was on vivid display last week when hundreds of thousands returned to northern Gaza despite its near-total destruction.