Egyptians rally near the Rafah crossing, rejecting Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. (Photograph/Xinhua)
CAIRO (EPICSTORIAN ) – Thousands of Egyptians rallied near the Rafah border crossing on Friday, voicing strong opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The demonstrators, including political figures and ordinary citizens, waved Egyptian and Palestinian flags and held banners rejecting the proposed relocation of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan.
State-run Nile TV broadcasted footage of the protest, showing participants chanting slogans against forced displacement. Many carried signs that read, “No to displacement”, emphasizing their refusal to accept any forced movement of Palestinians.
Growing Regional Opposition
The demonstration came in response to recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Egypt and Jordan would eventually comply with his controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
“They will do it … We do a lot for them, and they’re going to do it,” Trump told reporters on Thursday, hinting at potential pressure tactics against Cairo and Amman.
However, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi firmly rejected the notion. Speaking on Wednesday, Sisi denounced any forced displacement of Palestinians as an act of “injustice” that Egypt would not support. His stance aligns with a broader regional consensus that the Palestinian people should not be uprooted from their homeland.
Historical Context and Political Ramifications
Egypt has long played a crucial role in mediating Israeli-Palestinian conflicts while maintaining strict control over the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only non-Israeli gateway to the outside world. The border was partially reopened in recent months for humanitarian aid but remains tightly regulated.
Friday’s demonstration underscores the deep-rooted solidarity between Egyptians and Palestinians. Political analysts say the protest signals Cairo’s determination to resist external pressure and prevent an influx of displaced Palestinians into Egyptian territory.
As tensions continue to rise, the fate of displaced Palestinians remains a pressing humanitarian concern. With Egyptian authorities reaffirming their position, international efforts to address the crisis will require alternative solutions beyond forced displacement.
