US Insistence on Palestinian Deportation: Will Trump Succeed?
In a contentious statement, U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that “Washington has done a lot
for Egypt and Jordan,” clearly signaling U.S. pressure on these nations to accept a proposal to deport
Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to their territories.
This statement, which smacks of political blackmail, has been met with official rejection from both
Cairo and Amman, amidst warnings of its severe implications for regional stability.
Egypt’s Stance: Firm Rejection and Escalation Concerns
Hani Khalaf, former Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt, emphasized Egypt’s fundamental objections to
this proposal. In an interview with “Sky News Arabia,” Khalaf stated that “the forced displacement of
Palestinians would effectively erase the Palestinian issue from its roots, something that Egypt cannot
accept.”
Khalaf also highlighted Cairo’s efforts to maintain balanced relations with Washington without
succumbing to coercion, warning that U.S. pressure could affect the developmental aid Egypt receives.
He advocated for a “practical and flexible solution” rooted in the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state within a two-state solution framework, which requires international consensus and
genuine political will, not just temporary measures that shift the crisis rather than solve it.
Jordan: Between Pressure and Public Rejection
On the other side, Dr. Amin Al-Mashaqbeh, a former Jordanian minister and academic, views the U.S.
pressures on Jordan as part of a broader plan to burden Jordan with the Palestinian issue, posing
significant risks to Jordanian national security.
Al-Mashaqbeh pointed out that “over 50% of Jordan’s population are of Palestinian descent, plus there
are 250,000 Palestinians with Jordanian citizenship in the West Bank,” suggesting that any deportation
attempt would lead to a dangerous demographic shift and threaten Jordan’s stability.
He also warned that responses to U.S. pressures should not only be governmental but should also
involve strong public movement in support of Jordan’s position, noting that “any step towards
Palestinian displacement would ignite the Jordanian streets, posing a threat to internal stability.”
