George Washington students demand professor’s expulsion over Gaza plan for Trump

Students at George Washington University are demanding the removal of economics professor Joseph Pelzman after it was revealed that he proposed a controversial Gaza reconstruction and relocation plan to US President Donald Trump’s team.

Pelzman, who heads the university’s Center of Excellence for the Economic Study of the Middle East and North Africa, shared his proposal, “An Economic Plan for Rebuilding Gaza: A Build – Operate – Transfer (BOT) Approach,” with Trump’s advisors back in July 2024.

The plan, which suggested a radical approach to rebuilding Gaza, including the complete evacuation of its population, was seen as the blueprint for Trump’s Gaza proposal.

The student-led campaign is calling for Pelzman’s immediate dismissal, arguing that his involvement in the plan legitimizes forced displacement.

The backlash has also spread to social media, with activists amplifying calls for the university to take action against him.

Students for Justice in Palestine at George Washington University is now organizing around getting GWU Professor Joseph Pelzman fired. pic.twitter.com/wa3pXh7c0z

— Stu (@thestustustudio) February 16, 2025

Pelzman was tapped by the Trump administration last summer to "think outside the box" and draft up a dynamic plan for Gaza after the war ended. pic.twitter.com/nwnJQ32OuU

— Stu (@thestustustudio) February 16, 2025

In a podcast interview with Dr. Kobby Barda, Pelzman said that he developed the plan at the request of Trump’s team, “I figured, why not write an out-of-the-box perspective on how to fix Gaza after the aggression,” he said, adding that “the paper went to the Trump people because they were the ones initially interested in it—not the Biden people,” as reported by All "Israel" News.

Pelzman further stated that his plan would require “completely emptying out” Gaza, removing all structures, and recycling the concrete.

Student groups at George Washington University have condemned his involvement in the plan and are demanding his immediate removal.