Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Rafah border crossing on Friday in a rare state-approved protest against U.S. President, Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi firmly rejected the proposal on Wednesday, stating that Egypt would not facilitate the displacement of Gazans. He also encouraged Egyptians to take to the streets in opposition.
Protesters chanted “Long Live Egypt” and waved Egyptian and Palestinian flags. “We say no to any displacement of Palestine or Gaza at the expense of Egypt, on the land of Sinai,” said Gazy Saeed, a resident of Sinai.
According to Egyptian security sources, groups close to Sisi provided buses to transport protesters to the border, where civilian access is typically restricted. However, the demonstration reflected widespread public opposition, not just governmental disapproval, of Trump’s proposal.
Trump initially suggested last Saturday that Egypt and Jordan should take in displaced Palestinians, referring to Gaza as a “demolition site” after 15 months of Israeli bombardment that has left most of its 2.3 million residents homeless. He later doubled down on the idea, citing extensive U.S. aid to both countries.
Any suggestion of Palestinians leaving Gaza, a territory they hope to establish as part of an independent state has long been rejected by Palestinian leaders and neighboring Arab nations. Jordan already hosts millions of Palestinians. At the same time, tens of thousands reside in Egypt.
