Arab Nations and the Palestinian Authority Disavow Trump's Proposal for the Evacuation of Gaza

In a coordinated statement, the foreign ministers of five Arab nations, along with representatives from the Palestinian Authority, have unequivocally condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and resettle them in adjacent countries.

In a collaborative correspondence addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, senior diplomats from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in conjunction with Palestinian presidential adviser Hussein al-Sheikh, articulated their profound disapproval of the proposal. The correspondence cautions that the proposed plan would not only contravene international law but also intensify tensions throughout the Middle East, thereby further destabilizing the region.

The proposal articulated by Trump on January 25 advocated for the evacuation of the Gaza Strip and the resettlement of its inhabitants to Jordan and Egypt, whether on a temporary or permanent basis. This proposal was promptly met with vehement disapproval from Palestine, the United Nations, and the Arab nations. Critics contend that it jeopardizes the feasibility of a two-state solution and may result in irreversible alterations within the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel.

The subsequent day, Trump reaffirmed his conviction that Palestinians ought to be resettled in "safer" regions, specifically identifying King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt as potential collaborators in this initiative. Both leaders dismissed the proposal, asserting their unwillingness to participate in such an initiative.

Notwithstanding this, on January 30, Trump maintained his position that Jordan and Egypt would acquiesce to the acceptance of Palestinians from Gaza, asserting, "They will." We provide extensive support for them, and they will reciprocate accordingly.

Nevertheless, the correspondence from the foreign ministers of the five Arab nations, along with the Palestinian official, unequivocally rejected the notion of displacing the Palestinian people. The Palestinians are unwilling to relinquish their territory. The letter unequivocally expresses our endorsement of their position, reiterating that the two-state solution constitutes the sole feasible approach to attaining enduring peace in the region.

Palestinian officials have also expressed their apprehensions regarding Trump's proposal. Akef al-Masry, the Head of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, characterized the proposal as an element of a broader colonial agenda intended to obliterate the Palestinian issue and its rightful claims. He underscored that the Palestinians will not relinquish their territory, notwithstanding the mounting pressures they encounter.

Al-Masry asserted, "We oppose any efforts to displace the Palestinians from their land, whether through military action or political coercion," further emphasizing that the Palestinian people remain steadfast in their position. He additionally cautioned against any recurrence of the Nakba, alluding to the 1948 exodus of Palestinians that occurred during the establishment of Israel.

Al-Masry further underscored that genuine peace can only be attained through the cessation of the unlawful Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the assurance of equitable treatment for the Palestinian populace.

The unanimous dismissal of Trump's proposal by Arab nations and Palestinian officials highlights the profound regional apprehensions regarding the future of Gaza and the overarching Palestinian cause. The proposition of displacing Palestinians from their territory has ignited a vigorous discourse, with detractors expressing concerns that it may intensify the prevailing humanitarian crisis and obstruct any potential avenues for peace in the region.