United States President Donald Trump has put forward a controversial proposal to move the Palestinian people out of Gaza. Trump’s plan is to have the Palestinians resettled in either Egypt or Jordan. The strip will be placed under Israeli control. This plan of Trump’s has sparked an uproar across the nations of the Arab world. Now the regional big guns in terms of the foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States met in Cairo, Egypt, last week Saturday. The gathering issued a joint statement afterward detailing matters that the governments and representatives of these Arab regional powers agreed upon.
Their agreements included “expressing the continued full support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and their adherence to their legitimate rights under international law.” The statement said the officials “affirmed their rejection of any violation of these inalienable rights, whether through settlement activities, the expulsion and demolition of homes, land annexation, or the displacement of Palestinians from their land. They also rejected any efforts to encourage the transfer or uprooting of Palestinians from their land, under any circumstances or justifications,” the statement, released in English by the Qatari government, said. “Such actions, they noted, threaten regional stability, exacerbate the conflict, and undermine the prospects for peace and coexistence among the region’s peoples.”
What Trump is proposing is the full expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza so the territory can be fully re-annexed by the Israeli Zionist regime. This has been the basis of Trump’s plans to reshape the West Asian and North African region as he and his advisors sees fit. This is mostly to please Christian Zionist voters back in the US at the expense of the rights of the Palestinians. The Arab States in question as well as the most influential ones such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE are now becoming more aware of Trump’s agenda. Or so it would seem. The countries concerned in the above statement including Egypt, Jordan and the PLO may seek to derail Trump’s and Israelis’ sadistic agenda.
The further annexation of land by the Israeli regime can no longer continue.
The statement also “welcomes” the cease-fire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas that was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. “The participants also expressed their commitment to working with the administration of US President Donald Trump to pursue a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in line with the two-state solution, and to strive for a conflict-free region,” they said. Trump was asked in the Oval Office on Friday if he believes that it is a good idea that Egypt and Jordan accept Palestinians from Gaza despite the two countries denying they would do so. “I think Jordan will take people, yeah, people from Gaza, and I think Egypt will take them also. I mean, I heard somebody said they’re not going to, but I think they will. I feel confident they will,” Trump said.
Trump is more of a ruthless businessman than a diplomatic statesman. He may impose tariffs on Egypt and Jordan if they resist his agenda and plans. This would be similar to his actions towards China. Trump could also cut off much needed aid to the countries concerned. However, Jordan and Egypt could turn towards Beijing to become more closely aligned. China already has close economic ties with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the other Arab countries that command influence. So, for Washington to cower them with trade tariffs and cutting off financial support may not work. Trump might try for the diplomatic charm offensive to reach a compromise with these nations. But in recent years he has displayed a more forceful nature. Trump however may be on the wrong path if he believes Jordan and Egypt would agree to take in refugees from Gaza.
There would be widespread anger not only amongst the people of Egypt or Jordan but also the wider Arab region.
Trump, however, discussed with el-Sissi in a phone call Saturday the possibility of moving Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt during the period when the enclave is undergoing reconstruction, a source familiar with the details of the conversation told Axios reporter Barak Ravid. Cairo confirmed the call and said el-Sissi invited Trump to visit Egypt as soon as possible, the report said. Trump also invited el-Sissi to Washington. In a statement, el-Sissi said he told Trump during the call that the world is relying on his “ability to reach a permanent and historic peace agreement that ends the conflict that has existed in the region for decades,” the Times of Israel reported. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The plans of Trump and his advisors should not be trusted. If Palestinians in Gaza are removed while the area is under the occupation of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) there is a risk that the area could be annexed. It would be better if the Palestinian Authority (PA) took over the administration of the strip. This way the PA can act as a buffer between the Zionist regime and the Hamas militant group. However, Trump may not wish to see any body representative of the Palestinians on an equal footing with Israelis. We have already witnessed thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators being detained or arrested in the US under then President Joe Biden. Whose to say Trump won’t be just as harsh?
Trump may have to reach some middle ground with his Arab counterparts, especially in the light of the transition taking place in Syria. Compromise will have to take place. But this time around the Arab nations especially need to put their foot down and say Israel needs to end settlement construction and allow the Palestinians the right of return. Only then can there be talk of a peace resolution and solution to the crisis. Although the Arab states support a two-state solution, a one state for both peoples may also be considered. If Palestinians particularly in the diaspora are given the right to return same as Jews.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
