Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ruled out a visit to the White House, citing opposition to US President Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza. The plan, which aims to permanently relocate over 2 million Palestinians and turn the region into a “Riviera of the Middle East”, is seen as a threat to Egypt’s security and would require Cairo to take in the displaced population.
Egypt has consistently supported Trump’s request for cooperation on finding a solution to the Gaza crisis. The country has also been one of the largest recipients of US military aid, with over $5 billion worth of arms sales approved last year alone.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently visited Washington to discuss potential solutions, including Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians. The Egyptian president and Jordanian King Abdullah have urged Trump to lead a pathway for achieving a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
Despite tensions, US military aid remains crucial to Egypt’s national security. Last year, the US allocated $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt, with talks ongoing over potential future sales worth billions more.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/egypts-president-sisi-not-attend-any-white-house-talks-if-gaza-displacement-2025-02-12