Arab Nations Reject Trump’s Proposal to Relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan
Arab Nations Reject Trump’s Proposal to Relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan
CAIRO/AMMAN – Arab nations have strongly opposed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, calling the plan a direct threat to regional stability and Palestinian sovereignty. The rejection, voiced by multiple Arab states and regional organizations, underscores a unified stance in preserving Palestinian rights and the pursuit of a two-state solution.
Widespread Opposition from Arab Nations
Trump’s suggestion, which proposed transferring the 2.3 million residents of Gaza to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Jordan, was swiftly denounced by key Arab countries. A joint statement from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League rejected the idea, emphasizing that forced displacement would only escalate tensions and undermine long-term peace efforts.
The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned that such a move would amount to an ethnic cleansing attempt, violating international law and worsening an already volatile situation.
Historical Context and Regional Concerns
Arab nations have long been wary of mass Palestinian resettlement outside their homeland. Since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Palestinian refugee crises have contributed to regional instability, with host countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria facing internal tensions over integration, political representation, and security concerns.
Jordan, home to the largest Palestinian refugee population outside the Palestinian territories, firmly dismissed the idea. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated, “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians. Any displacement plan is unacceptable.”
Egypt, which controls the strategic Rafah border crossing, also rejected the relocation plan. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to Palestinian statehood, citing national security risks and widespread public opposition. Thousands of Egyptians recently protested at the border, voicing their rejection of any forced migration into the Sinai.
Arab leaders argue that displacing Palestinians into neighboring states would not only dismantle Palestinian aspirations for statehood but also serve as a de facto solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—one that shifts the burden onto other countries.
The United Nations and the European Union have also condemned any forced displacement plan, reiterating that the path to peace lies in a negotiated settlement based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
The Biden administration has distanced itself from Trump’s proposal, reaffirming support for a two-state solution while urging diplomatic resolutions to the ongoing conflict.
The firm rejection of Trump’s relocation plan by Arab nations reinforces the region’s commitment to Palestinian sovereignty and long-term peace. As tensions continue to rise, international efforts remain focused on preventing forced displacement and advocating for a viable political solution to one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
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