US President Donald Trump on Saturday (25 January) expressed his desire for Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian evacuees. He also wants other Middle Eastern countries to help. These evacuees are from the Gaza Strip. Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt. He believes this would “simply clear out” the conflict-torn region. The aim is to create what he described as a virtual fresh start.
Bedouin states, particularly Jordan and Egypt, have long opposed such propositions. They see the mass movement of Palestinians as a likely existential threat. They have cited Israel’s hesitance to ensure the return of Palestinians who leave the Gaza Strip. They are cautious about appearing complicit in their exile.
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Trump Suggests Relocating
Numerous Palestinians are hesitant to leave because of fears of not being permitted to return. During the conflict that began on 7 October 2023, more than 100,000 Palestinians entered Egypt. They often paid high fees. However, they received little assistance upon arrival, as Egypt does not recognize them as refugees. Trump’s suggestion of relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt has revived old concerns.
The Biden administration initially explored the possibility of temporarily moving some Palestinians to protect them during the conflict. However, the strong opposition from Jordan and Egypt led to the quick abandonment of the proposal. Check more about the Gaza war.
On Saturday, Trump brought back mass Palestinian relocation to neighboring countries, aligning with his unconventional approach to international policy. As his administration works to maintain the fragile Gaza truce, they also plan for reconstruction. Over 2,000,000 people remain in a region devastated by 15 months of war. Again, Trump suggests relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt as part of his broader plan.
Addressing journalists on board Air Force One, Trump referred to Gaza as a “destruction site” after the Israel-Hamas war. He mentioned discussing the issue with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and anticipated further talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
Trump shared that he told Abdullah, “I’d love you to take on more.” He said, “I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.” I’d like him to take people.
When asked whether this was a temporary or long-term idea, Trump said, “Could be either. “You’re talking about presumably a million and a half people, and we just clear out that whole thing. You know, over the years, it’s had many, many conflicts, that site. And I don’t know; something has to happen,” Trump stated, Times of Israel reported.
During his official campaign in October, Trump mentioned the potential of war-torn Gaza. He said it could be “better than Monaco” if it were “rebuilt the right way.” “It’s literally a destruction site right now. Almost everything is destroyed, and people are dying there,” Trump said on Saturday.
“I’d prefer to engage with some of the Bedouin nations. I want to build housing in a different place. There, they can perhaps live in peace for a change,” he added. He suggested once again the relocation of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt. More news…
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s most protracted and complex disputes. The question of Palestinian statehood and refugee rights is at its core. Periodically, proposed solutions from international figures generate significant controversy. One such proposal came from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating Palestinians to neighboring Arab countries. This idea is not new. However, its revival by a prominent leader brought it back into the spotlight. It drew swift and forceful rejection from the nations involved, particularly Jordan and Egypt.
Trump’s Suggestion and the Context
In October 2023, Donald Trump talked during a podcast with his former aide, David Friedman. They discussed the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He expressed frustration with the situation and stated:
“You have other countries that can help. And they have to help. You have Jordan. You have Egypt. They have to help.”
He went on to suggest that these countries have a responsibility to take in Palestinians. He framed it as a regional problem requiring a regional solution. He emphasized that it should not be solely for Israel to manage. This aligns with a long-standing idea among some circles that the two-state solution is unworkable. They propose that integrating Palestinians into other Arab nations is a more viable alternative. However, Palestinians, Arab states, and the international community overwhelmingly reject this concept.
The Response from Jordan and Egypt
The reaction from Jordan and Egypt was immediate, firm, and negative. Both countries categorically rejected the proposal.
Jordan’s Response:
Jordan has a large population of Palestinian refugees. Their descendants also make up a significant portion of its citizens. The Jordanian government viewed Trump’s suggestion as a direct threat to its national stability and a violation of Palestinian rights.
- Official Statement: Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, was unequivocal. Jordan rejects any attempt to resettle Palestinians. The effort to separate Palestinians from their cause and homeland is a “red line.”
- Reasoning: Jordan’s opposition is rooted in several factors:
- National Security: The kingdom fears that a further influx of refugees could destabilize its delicate demographic and political balance.
- Principle of Right of Return: Jordan, like most Arab states, supports the established international legal principle. This principle grants Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes. Alternatively, they can receive compensation, as per UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
- Sovereignty: The suggestion was seen as an imposition. It undermines Jordan’s sovereignty. It attempts to force Jordan to bear the responsibility for resolving a conflict it did not create.
Egypt’s Response:
Similarly, Egypt issued a strong rejection. Egypt shares a border with Gaza. It has been a key mediator in the conflict. However, Egypt has consistently opposed any solution that involves absorbing Palestinians into its territory.
- Official Statement: A spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry made it clear. Egypt completely rejects any attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause. They also refuse to resettle Palestinians outside of the Gaza Strip.
- Reasoning: Egypt’s reasons are also multifaceted:
- Historical Precedent: Egypt remembers the aftermath of the 1948 and 1967 wars. These events led to a massive influx of refugees. It is unwilling to accept a new wave.
- Solidarity with Palestinian Statehood: Egypt officially supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state. This state would be along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Resettlement is seen as a direct threat to this goal.
- Security Concerns: Egypt is concerned about the potential for militancy. It worries that it could spill over into its territory if borders were opened indiscriminately. It has maintained a strict control of its border with Gaza, the Rafah crossing, for years.
Why This Idea is So Contentious
The proposal to relocate Palestinians to other countries is rejected not only by Jordan and Egypt but also by the vast majority of the international community and Palestinians themselves for several key reasons:
- Violates International Norms: This action is considered a violation of the principle of non-refoulement in international law. This principle prohibits the forced return of people to a place where they would face danger.
- “Right of Return”: It directly contravenes the long-standing UN-backed right of return for Palestinian refugees to their original homes.
- Threat to Palestinian Identity: Palestinians and Arab states view it as an attempt to erase Palestinian national identity. They see it as a threat to their claim to a sovereign state. This move could effectively end the two-state solution.
- Historical Parallels: Critics draw parallels to the Palestinian “Nakba” (or “catastrophe”) of 1948. During this time, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced or fled. This occurred during the establishment of the state of Israel.
In conclusion, Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians to Jordan was swiftly rejected by Jordan. Egypt also rejected the suggestion absolutely. Their responses were rooted in deep concerns over national sovereignty and regional stability. They also showed a firm commitment to the established principles of the Palestinian right to self-determination and return.
This episode underscores a critical reality. Any proposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot involve the forced transfer or resettlement of Palestinians outside their homeland. Such a proposal is a political non-starter for the Arab world. It is also unacceptable to the international community at large. It reinforces that a durable peace must be negotiated between the parties. This peace must be based on mutual recognition. It should also establish a viable, independent Palestinian state.
