President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to relocate over two million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Arab countries has ignited widespread backlash across the Middle East. The ambitious and incendiary idea aims to transform Gaza into a Middle Eastern “Riviera” while shifting its population elsewhere. Though still a proposal, the plan is already unsettling Arab governments and intensifying debates over how to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Arab leaders swiftly condemned the relocation plan. Jordan’s King Abdullah II flatly rejected the proposal during a recent meeting with Trump at the White House, marking a rare moment of public defiance against the U.S. administration. Egypt also categorically dismissed the idea, with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi refusing to consider any suggestion of displacing Palestinians. El-Sissi canceled his scheduled visit to Washington in protest, further underscoring Cairo’s disapproval.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Qatar labeled the forced relocation of Gazans as unacceptable. However, unified action remains elusive, as internal divisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League hinder cohesive responses. Critics argue these fragmented stances leave the door open for Trump’s administration to advance the plan under the guise of a lack of alternatives.
President Trump’s approach to diplomacy has always been unconventional. Rather than following traditional processes, his strategy relies on disruption and transactional negotiations. A political consultant in Riyadh described Trump’s method as “accelerationist,” aiming to destabilize existing systems to force rapid changes. In this context, the proposed relocation plan appears to fit his broader goal of reshaping the Middle East’s political and economic landscape.
According to analysts, Trump’s administration views forced displacement as a “clean break” solution to Gaza’s recurring crises. However, the plan assumes that economic incentives alone can resolve the deep-rooted religious, nationalistic, and class tensions that continue to fuel the conflict. Critics warn that such assumptions oversimplify the complexities of the region, potentially exacerbating instability rather than alleviating it.
Egypt has emerged as a key player in opposing Trump’s plan. The country will host an emergency Arab summit later this month to address the “serious developments” in the Palestinian cause. King Abdullah of Jordan announced that Egypt plans to present an alternative proposal aimed at countering the U.S. initiative. However, success depends on bridging differences over Hamas’s role in Gaza and determining how to fund or enforce any new plan.
President El-Sissi has already declared that Egypt “cannot participate in the injustice of displacing the Palestinian people.” His government is under mounting pressure to unify Arab states and present a viable counterproposal before Trump’s administration gains further traction. Without such a plan, Washington could argue that its controversial proposal is the only viable solution.
Trump’s proposal has exposed internal rifts among Arab states. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have condemned forced relocation, their responses have largely been limited to general statements. Structural limitations within the GCC, as well as competing national priorities, have prevented the region from presenting a united front.
Analysts emphasize that the lack of a cohesive Arab strategy undermines the region’s ability to address not only the Gaza crisis but also future challenges. Mehran Kamrava, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, explained, “If the Arab League and GCC can’t unify to reject uprooting Gaza’s population, how can they handle future crises? The Trump administration thrives in a vacuum, and this disunity plays directly into their hands.”
Syria has also rejected the relocation proposal. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa called the plan a “serious crime” and argued that Palestinians have historically resisted efforts to displace them, even under extreme hardship. Speaking on a British podcast, al-Sharaa stated, “No power has succeeded in driving them out for good.”
Palestinian leaders echoed these sentiments. Dr. Dalal Iriqat, a diplomacy professor in Ramallah, warned that Trump’s top-down approach disregards the rights of Gazans, who are the rightful landowners. Without addressing these rights, she cautioned, the plan risks deepening instability rather than resolving the conflict.
The relocation plan also poses significant risks for Arab governments. For conservative regimes, the choice is stark: resist the U.S. proposal and face potential economic repercussions, or comply and risk eroding their domestic legitimacy. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has indicated it would only accept a U.S. security deal if it receives formal congressional backing, which would reduce the risk of sudden policy shifts.
Additionally, the financial burden of managing Gaza’s reconstruction remains a contentious issue. Over the past decade, Gulf states have spent billions rebuilding Gaza, only for recurring conflicts to undo their efforts. This cycle of destruction and rebuilding has fueled frustration among donors, who feel trapped in an endless loop. Analysts argue that Trump’s plan exploits these frustrations, effectively challenging the region to propose a better alternative.
As the February 27 summit in Egypt approaches, the pressure on Arab states to formulate a clear and unified response continues to grow. Without a concrete alternative, Trump’s administration could claim there is “no local solution,” leaving forced relocation as the default option. King Abdullah of Jordan has hinted that Egypt has multiple responses in the works, but their success depends on resolving key disagreements and rallying support across the region.
Dubai-based political analyst Taufik Rahim summed up the stakes: “This is about taking political and financial responsibility for Gaza, with investments likely exceeding $100 billion. Israel would welcome stronger Gulf involvement in the aftermath, but for now, the region remains hesitant to shoulder another obligation.”
What do you think about President Trump’s controversial Gaza relocation plan? Is it feasible, or does it risk deepening instability in the region? How should Arab states respond? Share your opinions in the comments below.
