Thousands of Egyptians gathered at the Rafah border crossing on Friday, voicing their strong opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazan refugees to Egypt and Jordan.
The rare state-sanctioned protest unfolded as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected the plan earlier this week. Sisi emphasized that Egyptians would not tolerate any displacement of Gazans, especially onto Egyptian soil.
Demonstrators chanted “Long Live Egypt” while waving Palestinian and Egyptian flags. The crowd’s unity sent a clear message of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
“We say no to any displacement of Palestine or Gaza at the expense of Egypt, on the land of Sinai,” stated Gazy Saeed, a Sinai resident, underscoring the deep-rooted sentiment shared among the protesters.
Security sources confirmed that supporters of Sisi arranged buses to transport protesters to the border, where civilian movement is typically restricted. However, this outpouring of protest was seen as a reflection of public disapproval, not just political leadership.
Earlier, Trump suggested Egypt and Jordan should shelter Palestinians from Gaza, which he described as a “demolition site” following extensive Israeli bombardments. The statement came as Gaza struggles with immense destruction, leaving millions homeless.
Trump, reiterating his stance the following day, implied that U.S. aid to Egypt and Jordan would facilitate their acceptance of displaced Palestinians. His proposal has been met with strong rejection from both the Palestinian leadership and neighboring Arab states.
For generations, Arab nations have resisted any suggestion that Palestinians leave Gaza. Both Egypt and Jordan already host large Palestinian populations, further complicating Trump’s controversial plan.