Arab foreign ministers have rejected the transfer of the Palestinian population from their territories under any circumstances, presenting a unified stance against US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Egypt and Jordan should accept refugees from the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement issued following a meeting in Cairo, foreign ministers and officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League stated that such an action would threaten regional stability, spread conflict, and undermine prospects for peace.
“We confirm our rejection (of any attempt) to endanger the inalienable rights of Palestinians, whether through settlement activities, expulsions, land annexation, or through the abandonment of territories by their owners… in any form or under any circumstances or justifications,” the joint statement emphasises.
The signatories also note that they look forward to working with the Trump administration toward achieving a fair and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution.
The meeting took place after Donald Trump stated last week that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza, which he called a “demolition site” after 15 months of Israeli bombardments that left most of its 2.3 million residents homeless.
Critics said this proposal amounts to ethnic cleansing.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected on Wednesday the idea of his country facilitating the displacement of Gaza residents and said that Egyptians would certainly take to the streets to express their disagreement.
Nevertheless, on Thursday, Trump reiterated the idea saying: “We’re doing a lot for them and they will do it,” in an apparent reference to American aid, including military support, to both Egypt and Jordan.
CNA
