Why Egypt and Jordan Might Say No to Moving Gaza Palestinians

President Trump's idea to have Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from Gaza is likely to face strong opposition. These countries fear that accepting refugees could lead to security issues and make a Palestinian state impossible. Additionally, many Palestinians worry that leaving Gaza could mean they’ll never return. They value staying on their land deeply. Egypt and Jordan have made peace with Israel but support a Palestinian state. They think resettling Gaza's population might hurt this goal. Egypt's President el-Sissi warned that moving many Palestinians to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula could bring future wars to Egyptian soil, putting their peace treaty at risk. Jordan, which hosts many Palestinian refugees, might face similar problems.

Human rights groups have accused Israel of ethnic cleansing in the past. The current situation in Gaza, where many have been forced from their homes, is seen by many Palestinians as a new disaster, or Nakba. They fear permanent displacement. However, Israel and some of its allies might welcome Trump's idea. Trump could use economic pressure, like tariffs or sanctions, to push Egypt and Jordan. But this might cause problems with the leaders of these countries and others in the region who support the Palestinian cause. It could also complicate efforts to improve relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

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