The question of Palestinian statehood has long been central to Middle East politics, affecting not only the Palestinian people but also Israel, neighbouring Arab countries and the wider international community. The conflict over territory, security and national identity has shaped regional dynamics for decades. Recent discussions, particularly those sparked by US President Donald Trump’s proposal to expel Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the territory like a real estate project, have once again brought this issue to the forefront of international debate.
Trump’s suggestion, made during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involved the possible resettlement of Gazans in neighbouring Egypt and Jordan. The idea was swiftly rejected by both nations, which cited violation of the rights of Palestinians, security concerns and the potential for regional instability. For Israel, however, Trump’s proposal aligns with its long-standing security concerns and demographic worries. Among Palestinians, the suggestion has caused alarm, as forced displacement would mean further erosion of their aspirations for statehood.
Gaza has been a focal point of conflict for many years. Since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, Israel has faced repeated attacks from within the enclave. Subsequently, Israel and Egypt have maintained strict controls on Gaza’s borders. The latest war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 following Hamas’s attack on Israel, has reinforced Israeli fears that the territory will remain a source of instability. The Israeli government has increasingly framed the situation in Gaza as an existential threat, leading to discussions about alternative solutions.
Egypt’s opposition to absorbing Palestinian refugees is rooted in its own security concerns. Officials fear that militants moving to Sinai could use Egyptian territory to launch attacks on Israel, potentially drawing Egypt into further conflict. Moreover, the presence of large numbers of displaced Gazans could exacerbate Egypt’s own challenges with political Islam and militancy in Sinai. Opposition figures in Egypt, often critical of their government on other issues, have united in rejecting Trump’s proposal.
Jordan has also firmly rejected any suggestion that it should take in more Palestinian refugees. Since the creation of Israel in 1948, Jordan has absorbed multiple waves of Palestinian refugees; a majority of its population now is of Palestinian origin. This history has profoundly shaped Jordan’s political landscape, at times leading to tensions between Jordanian authorities and Palestinian factions, most notably during the 1970 Black September conflict. Jordanians also fear that any further displacement of Palestinians from Gaza could set a precedent for future Israeli actions in the West Bank as well. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s response to Trump’s comments was unequivocal: “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.”
Despite these objections, Trump appeared confident that Egypt and Jordan would eventually come around. “They say they’re not going to accept,” he remarked in his meeting with Netanyahu. “I say they will.” His administration has significant leverage, as both Egypt and Jordan are among the largest recipients of US military and economic aid. However, while economic pressure might influence policy decisions, both governments must also consider domestic public opinion, which strongly opposes any arrangement that could be seen as facilitating the permanent displacement of Palestinians.
This is not the first time Trump has proposed such a solution. In late January, he raised the idea with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. His Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned relocating Gazans to Indonesia. Within Israel, some far-right politicians have openly embraced the idea of Palestinian relocation. Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for “voluntary emigration” from Gaza, arguing that this would enhance Israel’s security while offering better opportunities for Gazans elsewhere. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has similarly stated that if Gaza’s population was significantly reduced, discussions about its future governance would take on an entirely different character.
The idea of relocating Palestinians is not new. Throughout history, population transfers have been proposed as a means of resolving ethnic and territorial conflicts. It was on the basis of this principle that in 1937, the British Peel Commission suggested the partition of Palestine, accompanied by the transfer of Arab populations from areas designated for Jewish settlement. Similar discussions emerged in 1948, during the establishment of Israel, when many Palestinians fled or were displaced due to the war. Palestinians remember these instances as the Nakba ("catastrophe"), marking the loss of their homeland. For many Israelis, however, the establishment of a Jewish state was seen as a historic necessity, ensuring the survival of Jewish people in the wake of the Holocaust and centuries of persecution.
Today, with Israel’s government dominated by right-wing and nationalist factions, discussions about the future of Gaza have moved away from the traditional framework of a two-state solution. Most Israelis are no longer convinced about the two-state solution. A recent survey indicated that 76 per cent of Israelis support the idea of encouraging the emigration of Gazans. Supporters of this approach argue that it could lead to greater stability, both for Israel and for those who choose to leave. Critics, however, warn that such policies could amount to forced displacement, violating international law, human rights conventions and further inflaming tensions in the region.
The challenge of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains as complex as ever. While some in Israel see Trump’s proposals as aligning with their security needs, Arab states and the Palestinian leadership view them as unacceptable. International reactions have been mixed, with human rights organisations warning against any forced displacement while some Western politicians explore alternative diplomatic solutions.