By Katherine Tinsley
1:24pm PST, Feb 19, 2025
Tarlov, who is the lone liberal among her conservative colleagues, didn't hold back when discussing the conflict.
"Listen, the two-state solution that we have all wanted for decades is illusive, and unfortunately, I think it will continue to be so. And lots of people have tried to get it done and have failed," the strategist began. "Not just in the U.S."
"This was a huge issue for Tony Blair, who dedicated his career to trying to do this and couldn't pull it off," Tarlov said, referring to the former Prime Minister of the U.K.
After Israel and Hamas called for a ceasefire, Trump recommended that they completely clear out Gaza.
"So, no, I personally do not have a better solution at this moment. But I know that this solution is untenable," Tarlov stated.
"Certainly, to the Arab countries that surround Palestine. It would be clear that they are not bringing these people in," she added.
Tarlov was concerned that the president's vision for Gaza would create more problems within the Middle East.
"Former prime minister of Jordan said this is a declaration of war on the Arab people. And if he is such a humanitarian, then you take those 2 million people and you bring them here to the U.S., which is the country you are in charge of, and you resettle them," Tarlov declared.
"I'm just saying, you can't force these people down other countries' throats," she added.
The other conservative voices continued to side with Trump.
"But other countries have said they will take them. The Albanians are saying, 'We could help,'" co-host Dana Perino pointed out.
"They could take a few. But you're talking about two million people," Tarlov replied.
Tarlov suggested Palestinians should be able to move to the U.S., as they wait for Gaza to be rebuilt. However, Trump previously hinted at wanting the Palestinian city to become an American territory.
"If you want to know how crazy the idea is, though, you have to look no further than Susie Wiles' face as he said it," Tarlov told the panel, referring to Trump's chief-of-staff.
"There is a great shot of her, his chief of staff, the ice maiden, I think they call her, looking very expressive, like, 'Oh, my god, what is he saying?' Mike Walz kept it together, but he looked a little surprised, too," she continued.
The real estate tycoon's son-in-law might have influenced his approach to diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
"And we know where the idea came from," the political consultant noted.
"Last year Jared Kushner said, 'I think you could get some really great waterfront property in Gaza. It could be really beautiful.' And this was widely covered," she reminded her coworkers. "So maybe he has been brewing this. Maybe there are some great contracts to come."
Perino, who previously worked for
George W. Bush, interrupted Tarlov.
"I have to step in. I'm sorry. First of all, 'Call Me Back' podcast today with
Dan Senor, he and
Rich Goldberg were talking about apparently Donald Trump watched the entire October 7 video on Monday," Perino clarified.
"This is not something that he's like, 'Oh, I cannot wait to put my hotel down there.' What was the — where is the compassion for the Palestinian people from anybody else? Nobody is saying that they would do anything for them," she added.
Trump continues to share his thoughts with the public, but Tarlov thinks the Republican will eventually have to take action.
"But that's — but then if you are the one who is going to drop in and save everybody for it, don't you have to put some of your money where the mouth is?" she asked.
While Tarlov was critical of Hamas, she expressed concerns about the innocent civilians unaffiliated with the organization.
"But what are you doing with the good people? Listen, I know that Gaza was overrun with terrorists. I have watched a significant portion of the October 7 footage. I have not watched the thing in its entirety," Tarlov said.
"But you cannot say to all of the neighboring countries that they just need to make room for millions of people that they don't want," she noted.
Meanwhile, Jeanine Pirro was able to highlight a different perspective.
"It is not about forcing Jordan or anyone else. It is about making people realize that for economic success in that region, we need to have peace and rebuilding of Gaza," Pirro stressed.
After struggling to agree with Tarlov, Watters decided to throw a subtle jab during his concluding statement.
"And instead, Jessica, of saying, 'No, we can't,' let's try, 'Yes, we can,'" he said.
