By World Licence 
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians from Gaza, describing the Palestinian enclave as a “demolition site.” This statement, reportedly made during a phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, was expected to be followed by a similar request to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Trump allegedly presented this solution as either temporary or potentially long-term.
This proposal comes amid extreme tensions in the Middle East. The Gaza Strip, under an Israeli blockade since 2007, has frequently been the scene of deadly conflicts. The idea of a forced or even “voluntary” transfer of Palestinians to neighboring countries is a sensitive issue, evoking painful memories of the 1948 Palestinian exodus (the Nakba) and the subsequent Arab-Israeli wars.
Trump’s suggestion aligns with a broader strategic vision that has often sought to redefine the Palestinian issue by bypassing aspirations for an independent state. In the past, some voices in Israel and the U.S. have proposed solutions involving the resettlement of Palestinians in other Arab countries, but such proposals have always been firmly rejected by key Palestinian actors.
The Jordanian government has previously expressed a firm refusal to accept new Palestinian refugees, arguing that such a solution would undermine the Palestinian cause by weakening the right of return and exacerbating regional instability. Similarly, Egypt has always been reluctant to alter the status quo in Gaza by absorbing part of its population, particularly due to security risks and internal tensions.
From a geopolitical standpoint, this proposal also risks straining relations between Washington and its Arab allies. While the U.S. has traditionally been a strong supporter of Israel, it also relies on Jordan and Egypt to help maintain fragile regional stability.
Trump’s remarks have been met with immediate opposition from Hamas, which governs Gaza, as well as numerous other Palestinian factions. For Palestinians, this proposal is seen as an attempt at forced displacement, a form of disguised ethnic cleansing aimed at further weakening their territorial claims.
On social media and in Arab media outlets, outrage is palpable. Many perceive this as a continuation of American policies that marginalize the Palestinian issue, following Trump’s previous controversial decisions while in office, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and brokering the Abraham Accords.
While this statement has sparked criticism in the Middle East, it may also serve as a political message aimed at certain segments of the American electorate. Trump has consistently maintained close ties with the most pro-Israel wing of the Republican Party and evangelical conservatives, for whom support for Israel is a central issue.
However, this stance could also weaken the U.S.’s position on the international stage, particularly among Arab and European allies who support a two-state solution and reject any form of forced Palestinian displacement.
Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt once again highlights his controversial approach to international affairs. With the region already mired in numerous tensions, this statement risks further inflaming the situation and complicating ongoing peace efforts.
Now that Trump has returned to the White House, if he seeks to implement this vision, he will face massive opposition—not only from Palestinians and Arab nations but also from much of the international community, which continues to view a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders as the only viable path forward.
