Egypt and Jordan refuse to accept Gaza refugees, considering it a non-negotiable boundary.
The King of Jordan Rejects Gaza Refugees: ‘That Is a Red Line’
The king of Jordan firmly stated on Tuesday that Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip should not be burdened on Jordan or Egypt.
Israel has indicated its intention to attack Gaza in order to eliminate the power base of Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for the massacre of over 1,400 people in Israel on October 7th. As Gaza residents heed Israeli warnings to evacuate the northern part of Gaza, the overcrowding of thousands of people in the already crowded southern area has sparked discussions about Gaza refugees seeking shelter in nearby Arab nations.
Jordan’s King Abdullah made it clear on Tuesday, during his meetings with German officials in Germany, that such discussions are unacceptable.
“That is a red line because I believe it is the plan of certain individuals to create de facto issues on the ground,” King Abdullah stated, according to Reuters.
“There will be no refugees in Jordan and no refugees in Egypt,” he reiterated, as reported by The Times of Israel.
“This is a situation that must be resolved within Gaza and the West Bank, and it should not be imposed on others,” he added, according to The Hill.
“The entire region is on the brink. This new cycle of violence is leading us towards the abyss,” Abdullah warned.
The only way out of Gaza under the current conditions is through the border crossing with Egypt. However, Egypt is reluctant to allow Gaza residents to settle in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders the Gaza Strip.
Should Arab countries take in Gaza refugees?
- Yes
- No
A report in the Financial Times, which did not disclose the identities of those involved, stated that a “senior” Egyptian official told a European official, “You want us to take 1 million people? Well, I am going to send them to Europe. You care so much about human rights, so you take them.”
The European official quoted by the Financial Times said that Egypt is “really, really angry” about feeling pressured to accept refugees.
The Financial Times described allowing refugees into Egypt as “a nightmare scenario that would unleash disruptive pressures it wants to avoid.”
Michael Wahid Hanna, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, highlighted security concerns as one of the reasons behind Egypt’s reluctance.
“Egypt fought an ISIS insurgency in the northern Sinai, and the interlinkages with extremists in Gaza were a key issue then,” he explained.
The Egyptian government does not want to open its border to terrorists who would launch attacks on Israel from Egyptian territory, Hanna indicated.
He also pointed out that allowing refugees to settle in Egypt poses significant uncertainties.
“How many refugees and for how long? And even if it is for temporary humanitarian protection, after the Israeli offensive, there may be nothing for the Palestinians to return to. Or perhaps Israel will not allow them to return,” he said.
In an Op-Ed for the Wall Street Journal, Mark Dubowitz and Jonathan Schanzer suggested that nations supporting Hamas, such as Iran, should take in Gaza’s refugees.
“Cairo is deeply skeptical of Hamas, given the terrorist organization’s roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt’s government views as a threat,” they wrote.
“Iran, Hamas’s chief financier and arms supplier, should absorb the majority of Gazans looking to flee,” they added, emphasizing that the regime has supported Palestinian jihadists for decades, causing misery and destruction in various regions.
Despite many people fleeing Gaza, Hamas terrorists are still launching rockets towards Israeli cities, as reported by Fox News.
“Their ability to target major cities remains; 6,500 rockets have been fired into Israel since last Saturday,” said Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, referring to the start of the Hamas campaign against Israel on October 7th.
The post Arab Neighbors Egypt and Jordan Reject Gaza Refugees: ‘That Is a Red Line’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
Why are Arab nations, specifically Jordan and Egypt, rejecting Gaza refugees and not allowing them to seek shelter?
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Analysis: The King of Jordan’s Stance on Gaza Refugees
The recent escalation of violence in Gaza has led to an urgent humanitarian crisis. As the Israeli military intensifies its attacks on Hamas, thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip find themselves facing displacement and desperately seeking shelter in nearby territories. However, the rejection of Gaza refugees by Arab nations, specifically Jordan and Egypt, has raised concerns and sparked debates about the responsibility of these countries.
Jordan’s King Abdullah, during his meetings with German officials, made it unequivocally clear that the burden of Gaza refugees should not be imposed on his country. King Abdullah’s declaration that “there will be no refugees in Jordan” highlights the precarious position of Arab nations in the region. The king firmly asserts that the situation in Gaza and the West Bank should be resolved within those territories and not transferred to others.
Similarly, Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has shown reluctance in allowing Gaza residents to seek refuge in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt’s concerns about potential security threats, including the presence of extremist elements in Gaza, and the unpredictable nature of the refugee crisis contribute to their apprehension in accepting Gaza refugees. The Egyptian government is wary of providing shelter to individuals who might pose a threat to its neighboring countries, particularly Israel.
The international community has also voiced its opinion on the issue. A report in the Financial Times revealed that an undisclosed “senior” Egyptian official responded to pressure by suggesting that Europe should take in Gaza refugees instead. This exchange highlights the frustration and division around the issue, as different nations try to pass the responsibility onto others.
The opinion piece by Mark Dubowitz and Jonathan Schanzer in the Wall Street Journal suggests that Iran, a staunch supporter of Hamas, should take in the majority of Gaza refugees. The authors argue that given Iran’s historical involvement in supporting Palestinian militants, they should bear the responsibility for helping those fleeing Gaza.
Amidst the ongoing violence and displacement, it is crucial to remember the dire situation that Gaza residents find themselves in. While the rejection of Gaza refugees by Arab nations raises concerns about their treatment and the burden placed on neighboring countries, it is essential for the international community to come together and address this humanitarian crisis collectively. A collaborative effort, with contributions from various nations, can help alleviate the suffering and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the violence in Gaza.
The current situation serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through a comprehensive and inclusive peace process can the cycle of violence and displacement be broken, ensuring a better future for all those affected by this ongoing conflict.
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