Islamic Nations Endorse Egypt’s Proposal, Reject Trump’s Gaza Strategy

The OIC has supported an Arab League proposal rejecting President Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, advocating for Egypt’s alternative initiative to reconstruct Gaza under Palestinian Authority governance. The meeting emphasized the need for a multilateral strategy to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and reinstated Syria’s OIC membership, highlighting efforts for regional cooperation.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where it endorsed an Arab League proposal that rejects U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan concerning Gaza. This decision came shortly after the Arab League approved the proposal at a summit in Cairo, wherein Egypt proposed an initiative to support the reconstruction of Gaza under the Palestinian Authority’s governance.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that the OIC’s approval officially transforms the plan into a joint Arab-Islamic initiative. This was emphasized by other ministers, highlighting a collective opposition to Trump’s suggestion to take control over Gaza and forcibly relocate its Palestinian residents to Egypt or Jordan, which sparked widespread backlash.

Lejeune Mbella, Cameroonian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Council of Foreign Ministers, remarked that the meeting was prompted by recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially regarding proposals for the dislocation of Palestinian families. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.

The Cairo summit also established a trust fund aimed at financing Gaza’s reconstruction, calling on the international community for assistance. Abdelatty further noted that the next phase involves international participation in the plan, with ongoing discussions with countries such as the EU, Japan, Russia, and China.

Responses within the U.S. to the alternative proposal have been mixed, with Israel outright rejecting the initiative. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce indicated that the plan did not meet Washington’s expectations, whereas Trump’s Middle East envoy described it as a positive preliminary effort from Egypt.

President Trump maintains that he is merely suggesting his Gaza plan rather than imposing it, despite firm resistance from multiple Arab nations. He stated, “I think that’s a plan that works, but I’m not forcing it.” This sentiment reflects the Arab nations’ unity against his proposed actions concerning Gaza.

Additionally, during the OIC meeting, Syria’s membership was restored after its suspension in 2012. Syria’s foreign ministry welcomed this development, signaling a potential reintegration of the country into regional and global discussions on its sovereignty.

The recent endorsement by the OIC to reject President Trump’s Gaza takeover plan underscores a unified Arab response led by Egypt’s initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction under the Palestinian Authority. This move affirms the necessity for multilateral cooperation in addressing the Palestinian issue, while also reinstating Syria within the OIC, indicating a renewed focus on regional stability and collaboration.

Original Source: egyptianstreets.com