Trump Proposes Relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan
By Malak Khaled
U.S. President Donald Trump is making headlines with his proposal: “You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing” in regard to Gaza.
Trump aims to relocate over one million Palestinians to neighboring countries, specifically Egypt and Jordan. While Trump frames this as a solution to the region’s problems, the plan raises significant concerns about its feasibility, legality, and humanitarian impact.
Trump’s Proposal in Detail
The Plan
Trump suggested moving over a million Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. He proposed building housing for the displaced population, mentioning that this solution could be either temporary or long-term.
Motivation
Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and stated that relocating Palestinians would mean “they could maybe live in peace for a change.”
Coordination With Regional Leaders
Trump stated he had discussed the plan with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and intended to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Both leaders have consistently opposed such proposals.
U.S. Policy Shift Under Trump
Support for Israel
Trump has often described himself as Israel’s greatest ally, a sentiment echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His actions in the first term, such as recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, are a testament to Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
Lifting Biden-Era Sanctions
Trump recently lifted sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settlers accused of violence in the West Bank. This move has been condemned by rights groups, who argue that it emboldens settler aggression.
Delivery of Arms
Trump ordered a ban lift on 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which had been withheld by Biden due to concerns over their humanitarian impact. These weapons, if used in Gaza, risk causing mass civilian casualties, further highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding Trump’s policies.
International and Regional Reactions
Egypt and Jordan’s Opposition
Both countries have previously rejected plans to absorb more Palestinian refugees. King Abdullah of Jordan had called such proposals a “red line,” while President El-Sisi of Egypt warned that displacing Palestinians would render the idea of a Palestinian state meaningless. El-Sisi had stated, “The land will be there, but the people won’t.”
Israeli Government’s Response
Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, praised Trump’s idea as an “out-of-the-box solution.”
Human Rights Concerns
Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm, warning that forced displacement would violate international law and exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The UN has consistently opposed such measures, emphasizing the rights of Palestinians to remain on their land.
A Departure from International Norms
Trump’s plan opposes decades of foreign U.S. policy, which always supported a two-state solution. It directly contradicts international law, which prohibits the forcible transfer of populations. The Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly states that “individual or mass forcible transfers… are prohibited, regardless of their motive.”
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Current Situation
The United Nations reports that over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced as a result of the genocide. Many residents have been forced to move multiple times, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
And over the past 15 months alone, at least 46,707 people in Gaza have been killed, including approximately 18,000 children. This situation is the result of prolonged blockades, repeated military operations, and a lack of reconstruction efforts.
Ceasefire Challenges
Efforts to sustain a truce between Israel and Hamas are getting harder. Israeli forces have blocked the way and opened fire on Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in northern Gaza, claiming the life of at least one person.
Meanwhile, Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the implementation of the ceasefire, as they should’ve released the civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud this week. Hamas has indicated that Yehoud will be released next week instead.
Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza has sparked significant controversy. While Trump frames the plan as a solution to Gaza’s devastation, the implications of it raise many concerns.
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