Gaza Riviera: A Vision of a Peaceful Middle East in 2035
The sun rises over the Gaza Riviera—no longer a symbol of conflict, but a shimmering coastline of prosperity, innovation, and peace. In 2035, Gaza is an American territory reborn, where Jewish Americans, Palestinians, Emiratis, Moroccans, Jordanians, Saudis, and others live, work, and dream together. Once a flashpoint, Gaza is now the crown jewel of a region transformed.
A Middle East Reimagined
It began with a bold idea in 2025: to transform Gaza into a neutral, American-administered territory—a canvas for renewal. Supported by the U.S., Israel, and Abraham Accords nations, the plan inspired investment, migration, and reconciliation. By 2030, the Abraham Accords expanded to include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. Peace spread like wildfire.
Now, in 2035, the Middle East stands united by progress. NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion smart city, is a beacon of sustainable innovation. Egypt’s New Cairo gleams with architecture, art, and policy institutes. Jordan’s Amman thrives as a financial hub, and Dubai continues to lead in commerce and travel. Even Beirut, once battered, now hosts international arts festivals along its revitalized waterfront.
Gaza Riviera: The Beating Heart
Along Gaza’s 40-mile Mediterranean coastline, a miracle has unfolded. What was once rubble is now a thriving Riviera—luxury resorts, tech towers, vibrant parks, and bustling promenades. A $100 billion reconstruction plan—powered by the U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and private philanthropists—has created a cradle of inclusive development.
Gaza’s new identity is deeply multicultural. Its 2.5 million residents include Palestinians, Jewish settlers, and professionals from across the region. Governed by a democratic council under U.S. oversight, its constitution guarantees equality, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
The economy thrives. The expanded Gaza Port connects East and West. The “Innovation Coast,” a tech hub built with Israeli, Jordanian, and Emirati collaboration, develops green energy, AI, and medical tech. Desalination plants power Gaza’s agriculture, exporting citrus and olives across the region. Unemployment has dropped to just 4%.
Tourism flourishes. Cruise ships from Qatar and Morocco dock weekly. The Harmony Festival fills the Riviera with global musicians, food stalls, and art exhibits. Visitors stroll the Unity Promenade, explore the Moroccan-built Gaza Aquarium, and dine on kosher-Palestinian fusion cuisine overlooking the sea.
From Walls to Bridges: Regional Unity
The Middle East of 2035 is interconnected like never before. High-speed trains link NEOM to Gaza, Jerusalem to Riyadh. Flights between Marrakech, Amman, and Tel Aviv are affordable and frequent. Weekend travel is common, and open borders have replaced checkpoints with commerce.
Trade unites the region. The Abraham Accords Free Trade Zone—established in 2030—has slashed tariffs and opened new markets. Green hydrogen from NEOM powers cities across the region. Israeli cybersecurity protects Gulf fintech hubs. Sudanese agricultural experts work Gaza’s farmland. Morocco’s luxury goods reach Tel Aviv and Cairo.
Culture, too, knows no boundaries. A co-produced Saudi-Israeli-Moroccan film wins the 2034 Oscar for Best International Feature. Interfaith centers inspired by the Abrahamic Family House welcome Muslims, Christians, and Jews. In Gaza, children grow up learning Arabic and Hebrew, playing music from both sides of the Jordan River.
Anchored in Peace
Security is now the region’s foundation, not its Achilles’ heel. Gaza is protected by a multi-national peacekeeping and advisory force—led by the U.S., coordinated with Israel, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan. Former militants have been demobilized through economic integration and education.
Joint intelligence initiatives ensure stability, while American bases in Bahrain and Qatar maintain deterrence. Conflicts from Syria to Yemen have cooled through economic cooperation and diplomacy. Even Iran, now governed by a moderate coalition, has joined the Middle Eastern Peace Framework. Iranian students attend Gaza universities. Iranian tech firms invest in NEOM.
A Beacon of What’s Possible
At the 2035 Harmony Festival, a young Gazan artist unveils a mural that captures it all: Tel Aviv’s skyline, Petra’s cliffs, NEOM’s towers, Cairo’s domes, and Gaza’s new boardwalk—all connected in radiant color. “This,” she says, “is the new Middle East. Not perfect, but ours. A region that chose unity.”
As fireworks explode over the Mediterranean, children laugh in Arabic and Hebrew. Planes land from Casablanca and Muscat. Markets bustle with goods from Rabat to Haifa. On the beach, a Jewish family from Miami and a Palestinian family from Khan Younis share a meal.
This is the Gaza Riviera. This is peace, built not on treaties alone, but on trust, trade, and the shared dream of a better tomorrow.
Prompted by Joseph Rothvogel
