Muslim Nations Rally Behind Arab Proposal Against Trump’s Gaza Plan

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has officially endorsed a counter-proposal, initially introduced by the Arab League, in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan concerning Gaza. The 57-member bloc called on the global community to support this regional initiative aimed at preventing displacement and ensuring Gaza’s reconstruction.

The decision was made during an emergency session held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just days after the Arab League formally adopted the proposal at a summit in Cairo. Crafted by Egypt, the alternative plan emphasizes rehabilitating the Gaza Strip under the governance of the Palestinian Authority.

In an official statement, the OIC confirmed its adoption of the plan, highlighting the necessity of “early recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.” The organization also urged international entities and financial institutions to provide immediate support to facilitate the plan’s implementation.

Trump’s original proposal, which suggested a U.S.-led takeover of Gaza and the relocation of its Palestinian population to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, sparked widespread condemnation. He had envisioned transforming Gaza into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomed the OIC’s endorsement, stressing the need to expand international backing. He expressed hopes that key global players, including the European Union, Japan, Russia, and China, would formally support the initiative.

“The next step is to elevate this proposal to an international level, gaining endorsements from key global stakeholders, including the United States,” Abdelatty stated. He also revealed that diplomatic discussions with various parties, including the U.S., were ongoing.

Despite these efforts, the Egyptian proposal faces resistance from both Washington and Tel Aviv. The U.S. State Department, through spokesperson Tammy Bruce, stated that the plan “does not align with American expectations.” However, Trump’s former Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, offered a more measured response, describing it as a “good-faith first step from the Egyptians.”

The Arab world has largely opposed Trump’s proposal, with political analysts viewing Egypt’s initiative as a strategic move to unite regional support against the forced displacement of Palestinians. Rabha Seif Allam, a researcher at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, noted that Cairo’s approach aims to establish a broad coalition rejecting any forced relocation from Gaza.

As diplomatic negotiations continue, the focus remains on securing international backing to counter Trump’s controversial vision while ensuring Gaza’s rehabilitation under Palestinian leadership.

(AFP)