The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has, on Friday, supported an alternative proposal from the Arab League. This counters US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza plan. The decision came after an emergency meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just days after the Arab League approved the plan at a summit in Cairo.
OIC supports Egyptian-led counter-proposal
Egypt’s alternative plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority’s future governance. This contrasts with the US proposal, which suggested taking over Gaza and displacing its residents.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that the OIC had adopted Egypt’s plan. It is now considered an Arab-Islamic initiative. His Sudanese counterpart also echoed these comments, calling the move a positive step forward.
Global reactions to the proposal
Trump’s plan proposed that the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into a prosperous region. This “Riviera of the Middle East” idea would involve relocating Palestinian residents to Egypt or Jordan.
At the Arab League summit in Cairo, leaders agreed to create a trust fund to rebuild Gaza. They also called for international support for this initiative.
Abdelatty stated, “The next step is to seek international approval from the EU, Japan, Russia, China, and other global partners.” He added that efforts are already underway to engage with these parties, including the US.
The OIC has also readmitted Syria. Syria had been suspended in 2012 due to the ongoing civil war under President Bashar al-Assad. After the leader’s ousting in December, Syria’s return marks an important step toward its reintegration into the regional and international community, according to the Syrian foreign ministry.
