US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in large numbers of Palestinian refugees from Gaza has been met with rejection and confusion. Trump told reporters on Saturday that moving 1.5 million people away from Gaza might be a solution, but his push fell flat with the two countries’ governments.
Egypt and Jordan have expressed concerns about accepting Palestinians, citing security implications and fear of destabilization in their own countries. Jordan is already hosting over 2 million Palestinian refugees, while Egypt has warned of potential security risks if large numbers of Palestinians were to be transferred there.
The proposal has been met with criticism from European officials, including Germany’s government and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who have expressed support for a more international approach to resolving the Gaza crisis. Even some Republicans loyal to Trump are struggling to understand his plan.
Trump’s comments have also raised concerns about the potential impact on the two-state solution, with both Egypt and Jordan supporting the creation of a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem. The US President’s stance on this issue is seen as less supportive than previous administrations, and Israel’s current government has effectively ruled out an independent Palestinian state.
The proposal has been met with skepticism by lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, who expressed confusion over Trump’s comments and called for a more focused approach to engaging with regional leaders.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-gaza-israel-palestinians-relocation-reaction-egypt-jordan-europe