- Arab Unity Against Trump’s Proposal – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan reject forced Palestinian displacement, warning of severe consequences.
- Public Outrage and Rising Anti-Americanism – Citizens across the Middle East condemn Trump’s Gaza plan, fueling regional tensions.
- Threat to Saudi-Israel Normalization – MBS conditions peace on Palestinian rights, while Netanyahu’s remarks strain diplomacy.
- U.S. Influence at Risk – Washington’s Middle East strategy faces setbacks as Arab states look toward alternative global partners.
Donald Trump’s latest remarks on Gaza’s future have done something rarely seen in the Middle East: they have unified Arab leaders in unequivocal opposition. From Cairo to Riyadh to Amman, governments are pushing back against Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. should assume control of Gaza and develop it economically—a proposal that reeks of neo-colonialism and blatant disregard for Palestinian sovereignty.
The question is, does Trump even realize the firestorm he has ignited?
A Rare Unified Arab Front
The immediate reactions from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have been swift and resolute. Egyptian officials flatly rejected the notion that Palestinians should be relocated from Gaza, warning that any forced displacement would threaten the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Saudi Arabia, still navigating its complex relationship with Israel and the U.S., issued one of its strongest condemnations of any recent American proposal, calling it an affront to Palestinian self-determination. Jordan went even further, labeling any forced migration of Palestinians a “declaration of war” and reinforcing its refusal to become a dumping ground for Israeli expansionist ambitions.
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For years, the Middle East has been fractured by rivalries—between Gulf states, between Iran and Saudi Arabia, between secular and Islamist movements. Yet Trump’s plan has managed to bring these forces together, if only for a moment, against a common cause: rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians and reinforcing the need for a lasting solution based on justice, not expediency.
Public Outrage and the Rising Tide of Anti-Americanism
Beyond the corridors of power, public sentiment in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia is boiling over. Egyptian political parties, professional unions, and media voices have rallied against Trump’s suggestion, framing it as a direct assault on Egypt’s national security. In Saudi Arabia, Prince Turki Al Faisal’s highly publicized condemnation of the plan on CNN resonated widely, while nationalist influencers flooded social media with calls to resist American pressure.
In Jordan, the public response has been even more visceral. Demonstrations have erupted across the country, uniting various political factions—including those that traditionally oppose King Abdullah II’s government. In a political landscape where domestic discontent often simmers beneath the surface, Trump’s proposal has inadvertently strengthened the Jordanian monarchy’s position by giving the public a common external adversary.
The Dangers of Forcing Palestinians Out
The real question is: where does Trump think displaced Gazans will go? Jordan, already struggling with high unemployment, water scarcity, and economic woes, simply cannot absorb another influx of refugees. Egypt, likewise, faces its own economic crisis and security concerns in the Sinai Peninsula, where an influx of Palestinians could destabilize the region further.
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The idea that other Arab nations should bear the burden of Israeli policies is both offensive and unsustainable. The forced displacement of Palestinians would not only trigger humanitarian disaster but would likely provoke a new wave of extremism, further destabilizing an already volatile region. Does the U.S. want to see a new generation of radicalized youth, born out of forced expulsion and statelessness?
Fallout for U.S. Influence and Saudi-Israel Normalization
Trump’s plan also risks derailing fragile negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The much-discussed normalization deal, which includes U.S. security guarantees and access to nuclear technology, is now in jeopardy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made clear that Saudi recognition of Israel hinges on meaningful steps toward Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s dismissive comments about Saudi Arabia having “plenty of land” for Palestinians to relocate to have only reinforced Riyadh’s skepticism about Israeli intentions.
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Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been steadily reducing its reliance on Washington, forging closer ties with China, Russia, and other emerging powers. If Trump continues down this path, he may accelerate America’s declining influence in the region, pushing key allies even further away.
A Path Toward Stability—Or Perpetual Conflict?
If Trump—or any future U.S. administration—wants to be taken seriously in Middle East diplomacy, they must abandon these reckless, ill-conceived proposals. The only viable solution is a political one: a two-state framework that guarantees Palestinian sovereignty and security for all in the region.
The alternative is more conflict, more displacement, and more instability. The Arab world has spoken with one voice. The question is, will Washington listen?