Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations have rejected US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. The proposal was made last month, with Trump stating that it could be a temporary or long-term solution for the estimated 2.3 million Gazans who are now homeless.
The joint statement, released by Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Palestinian Authority, warns that such plans “threaten the region’s stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace.” The Arab nations also emphasized their support for a two-state solution, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stating that “the solution is not to remove the Palestinian people from their place.”
The proposal was met with opposition from both Egypt and Jordan, which have already struggled to integrate large numbers of Palestinians into their societies. Israel’s relocation idea had been floated earlier in the war, but Trump’s suggestion sparked a stronger reaction.
The statement also calls on the international community to help plan and implement a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza to ensure that Palestinians can remain on their land. The Arab nations have also reaffirmed their support for UNRWA, which provides aid and services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and other countries.
Trump’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with many arguing that its proposals are unrealistic or divisive. The rejection by Arab nations adds to the pressure on the US president to reconsider his approach to the issue.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/mideast-egypt-jordan-palestinians-trump-51dc4d5225e6bc0a135b7bbafedb3d86