A pro-Trump Arab American advocacy group has changed its name following President Donald Trump's recent remarks about Gaza, though its leadership insists the decision was long in the works, The Hill reported.
"Arab Americans for Trump," an organization that mobilized Arab American voters during Trump's 2024 campaign, officially changed its name to "Arab Americans for Peace" on Tuesday, according to the group's chair, Bishara Bahbah.
Bahbah told The Hill in a phone interview Wednesday that while the group had been considering a name change for some time, Trump's recent comments on Gaza played a role in the decision.
"He won, so we needed movement on the momentum on what we have done, and we finally decided to change the name to Arab Americans for Peace," Bahbah said. "Some in the press tried to tie what the president has said to our changing the name. In fact, it is connected, and it's not."
The organization's shift comes amid controversy over Trump's suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza could be relocated as part of an "economic development" plan.
During a Tuesday press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump described the potential for Gaza to be transformed into "the Riviera of the Middle East" and suggested U.S. troops could be deployed "if it's necessary."
The White House defended Trump's remarks Wednesday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump "has not committed to putting boots on the ground in Gaza" and reiterated that the United States would not fund the rebuilding efforts.
"The president has made it clear they need to be temporarily relocated out of Gaza for the rebuilding of this effort," Leavitt said. "Again, it's a demolition site right now. It's not a livable place for any human being."
Despite its continued support for Trump, Bahbah's organization rejected the idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
"We categorically reject the whole notion of displacing or removing or transferring the Palestinians in Gaza. There is no place for Palestinians to go," Bahbah said.
The organization was key in mobilizing Arab American voters in battleground states, particularly Michigan, which Trump won. The president also secured a victory in Dearborn, Michigan, the largest majority Arab American city in the country.
In a statement Wednesday, Arab Americans for Peace expressed appreciation for Trump's commitment to rebuilding Gaza but emphasized that the goal should be to make the territory habitable for Palestinians.
"We appreciate the president's offer to clean and rebuild Gaza. However, the purpose should be to make Gaza habitable for Palestinians and no one else," the group said.
The organization reiterated its support for a two-state solution, stating, "We strongly believe that the only lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine and the Israel-Arab conflict is a two-state solution — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace."