Several Arab nations have rejected US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
Arab leaders express strong opposition
On Saturday, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League issued a joint statement opposing any plan to move Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank. Trump had proposed that Egypt and Jordan take in Gaza’s 2.3 million displaced residents, either temporarily or permanently. Some Israeli officials had discussed this idea early in the conflict. Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” after the ongoing war.
The Arab nations warned that this plan would “threaten the region’s stability,” expand the conflict, and undermine efforts for peace. This statement followed a meeting in Cairo with diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
Commitment to the two-state solution
The leaders reaffirmed their support for a just peace in the Middle East, based on a two-state solution. They also called on the international community to help rebuild Gaza and ensure that Palestinians remain on their land.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rejected Trump’s suggestion in a press conference, saying that the transfer of Palestinians “can never be tolerated or allowed.” He stressed that the solution is to establish a Palestinian state, not to displace its people. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also expressed firm opposition to the proposal.
Egypt and Jordan are concerned that once Palestinians leave Gaza, Israel may not let them return. They also fear the economic and political impact of resettling many refugees. Jordan already hosts over 2 million Palestinians, and Egypt has raised concerns about the security risks of relocating Palestinians to its Sinai Peninsula.
Although Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel, they continue to support the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem — territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.
