A group of Arab nations has strongly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. In a recent meeting held in Cairo, Arab leaders declared their firm opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Trump’s Proposal Sparks Controversy
In January, shortly after taking office, Trump suggested that Egypt and Jordan should accept more Palestinian refugees to "clean out" Gaza. However, this idea was met with strong opposition from both countries and the wider Arab world. Jordan already hosts over 2.39 million Palestinian refugees, according to the United Nations (UN), making it difficult to take in more.
Israel has previously proposed similar ideas, suggesting that Palestinians from Gaza be moved to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and other Arab nations. However, Palestinian organizations and international bodies have condemned such proposals, calling them forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
Arab Nations Stand Against Forced Displacement
On Saturday, top officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League met in Cairo. The meeting, called by Egypt, focused on the future of Gaza and Trump’s controversial proposal.
In a joint statement reported by Al Jazeera, Arab leaders strongly rejected the plan. They stated:
“We reject any attempts to take away Palestinians’ rights through forced evictions, land grabs, or any actions that remove them from their homeland.”
The statement warned that Trump’s idea would destabilize the region, increase conflict, and damage chances for peace.
The War in Gaza and Its Impact
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has caused massive destruction in Gaza. The conflict started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, cutting off humanitarian aid.
According to the UN and Gaza’s Health Ministry:
Over 47,000 Palestinians have died.
About 1.9 million people (90% of Gaza’s population) have been displaced.
Trump recently called Gaza a “demolition site” and suggested that Jordan and Egypt should temporarily or permanently open their borders to Gazans. However, both countries immediately rejected the idea, and the broader Arab coalition followed with an official rejection.
World Leaders Speak Out Against Trump’s Plan
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made it clear that the real solution is the creation of a Palestinian state. He said:
“The solution is not to remove the Palestinian people from their land. The solution is the two-state solution.”
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also stated that Jordan firmly opposes any forced relocation of Palestinians.
Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of Human Rights Watch, criticized Trump’s proposal, calling it a “war crime of forced deportation.”
Even U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong Trump ally, distanced himself from the plan. Speaking on CNN, he said:
“The idea that all Palestinians will leave Gaza and go somewhere else—I don’t see that happening.”
Arab Nations Push for a Two-State Solution
Despite rejecting Trump’s proposal, Arab nations reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution based on the two-state solution. They urged the international community to support the rebuilding of Gaza and to find a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Since January 19, a ceasefire brokered by Qatar has been in place between Israel and Hamas, allowing for prisoner exchanges and limited relief efforts.
As tensions continue, Arab leaders remain focused on political solutions rather than forced displacement. The world now watches to see how international efforts will shape the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
