Trump Insists Egypt and Jordan Will Accept Displaced Palestinians, Despite Rejection

Trump Insists Egypt and Jordan Will Accept Displaced Palestinians, Despite Rejection

Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his insistence that Egypt and Jordan will accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza, despite firm rejections from both Arab nations. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump dismissed concerns following the two countries’ denials of his controversial plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to “safer” locations in the region.

“They will do it,” Trump said when asked about the rejection from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. “We do a lot for them, and they’re going to do it.”

The comments came a day after both Egyptian and Jordanian leaders categorically opposed any plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians, calling the move unjust. President el-Sisi referred to the displacement proposal as “an injustice that we cannot take part in,” emphasizing that any attempt to uproot Palestinians would face strong resistance from the Egyptian people. Similarly, King Abdullah II reaffirmed Jordan’s “firm position on the need to keep the Palestinians on their land.”

Trump’s remarks follow his controversial suggestion last week that Palestinians should be moved out of Gaza following the ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing conflict. Describing Gaza as a “demolition site,” Trump proposed that displaced Palestinians be relocated to Egypt or Jordan, a plan that has sparked outrage among international communities.

Egypt and Jordan have long been vocal against forced displacement of Palestinians, citing concerns about the human rights implications and the broader impact on regional stability. The proposal has faced widespread condemnation, with many labeling it as an act of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.

The White House, in an attempt to underscore its commitment to addressing the Gaza crisis, dispatched US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to the region earlier this week. Following his visit, Witkoff described Gaza as being almost completely destroyed, with significant damage to infrastructure and no access to basic necessities like water and electricity. He noted that rebuilding Gaza could take up to 15 years, a timeline that underscores the scale of devastation the region has experienced.

Critics have expressed their deep concerns about Trump’s proposal, with many countries in the Muslim and Arab world, along with European powers such as France, condemning any plans for forced displacement. The international community continues to call for diplomatic solutions that respect Palestinian rights and ensure their right to remain in their homeland.

The fate of Palestinians remains a deeply contentious issue, with ongoing debates about the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East peace process. Trump’s remarks add fuel to the fire of an already volatile situation, with many calling for urgent action to prevent further escalation.