Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, citing national security concerns. El-Sisi emphasized the injustice of displacement, while both Egypt and Jordan maintain their commitment to a two-state solution. The proposals from Trump have faced widespread condemnation among regional countries, who argue they threaten the legitimacy of Palestinian statehood and regional stability.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has firmly rejected United States President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan, accept the relocation of Palestinians from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. Emphasizing that such displacement can neither be tolerated nor permitted due to its potentially detrimental effects on Egypt’s national security, el-Sisi reiterated his commitment to the Palestinian cause during a press conference.
El-Sisi stated, “The deportation or displacement of the Palestinian people is an injustice in which we cannot participate.” Amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where numerous residents have been displaced since Israel launched military operations in October 2023, el-Sisi’s remarks highlight Egypt’s stance against displacement. He reasserted that the solution lies in establishing a Palestinian state rather than uprooting its people.
The notion of relocating Palestinians has met with widespread condemnation from Palestinian representatives and regional stakeholders, who argue that it undermines the legitimacy of Palestinian statehood and threatens regional stability. This sentiment was echoed by Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, who firmly asserted that “Jordan is for Jordanians and Palestine is for Palestinians.”
El-Sisi also expressed his willingness to engage with the Trump administration to foster peace based on the widely accepted two-state solution. His administration, alongside Jordan, fears that pushing Palestinians into neighboring countries could complicate efforts to create a viable Palestinian state, thus continuing concerns about potential long-term destabilization in the region.
The displacement of Palestinians has long been a poignant topic in their history, with many fearing that leaving Gaza might mean losing their right to return. Egypt and Jordan, which maintain peace agreements with Israel, support the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. They consistently warn against any attempts to resettle Gaza’s population, likening such actions to the Nakba of 1948, where many Palestinians were forcibly removed during the creation of Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to significant humanitarian crises, especially in Gaza, where over 2 million residents have repeatedly faced displacement. In response to escalating violence, the suggestion by President Trump to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries has raised alarms about its implications for regional stability and Palestinian rights. Egypt and Jordan, both critical US allies with established peace agreements with Israel, have long advocated for the creation of a Palestinian state aligned with the borders of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, thereby ensuring a pathway to self-determination for the Palestinian people.
In summary, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s rejection of President Trump’s proposal to displace Palestinians reflects Egypt’s commitment to addressing the rights of the Palestinian people and minimizing national security threats. This position is shared by Jordan, highlighting a strong consensus among Arab nations against potential displacement efforts. The broader discourse continues to focus on achieving a lasting peace based on the establishment of a Palestinian state rather than displacement, which could exacerbate regional tensions.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
