President Trump has highlighted the 2020 Abraham Accords, which established formal relations between Israel and four Arab nations, as a significant foreign policy success of his administration. He is now aiming to include Saudi Arabia in these accords but faces a potential setback due to his recent proposal regarding the Gaza Strip.
Trump's suggestion to relocate two million Palestinians from Gaza and transform the area into the "Riviera of the Middle East" has met with swift rejection from several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government reaffirmed its longstanding position that normalization with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of a Palestinian state, a demand it described as “nonnegotiable.”
This statement directly contradicts Trump's assertion that Saudi Arabia had abandoned this precondition. A senior Saudi royal criticized the proposal, labeling it as akin to "ethnic cleansing." The response from Arab nations has been one of suspicion and anger, with attempts by U.S. officials to clarify the proposal failing to alleviate concerns.
The core issue remains the question of Palestinian statehood, which many Arabs view as essential. Egypt and Jordan, countries Trump suggested could accommodate displaced Gazans, have firmly rejected any mass displacement, citing historical precedents where displaced Palestinians were not allowed to return.
Both nations have been providing medical assistance to Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict, with Egypt accepting over 100,000 medical evacuees. Analysts in the region have condemned any form of forced displacement as morally and legally unacceptable.
Public sentiment in Saudi Arabia largely supports Palestinian rights, complicating the government's ability to pursue any agreement that does not prioritize Palestinian aspirations. The recent war in Gaza has heightened public outrage, making normalization with Israel increasingly difficult.
Prior to Trump's second term, there was cautious optimism regarding Saudi-Israeli normalization, especially following a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. However, recent developments have strained relations between Trump and Saudi leadership.
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal indicated that Trump would face significant pushback regarding his proposal, emphasizing the injustice of the suggested actions. The four Arab nations that signed the Abraham Accords did so despite longstanding Arab demands for Palestinian statehood.
In light of the recent conflict, the Saudi government has reiterated the necessity of a path to Palestinian statehood. Saudi officials have expressed that any resolution must address the longstanding issues faced by Palestinians.
While both Trump and Saudi leaders may be presenting maximalist positions as negotiation starting points, public sentiment in the region remains largely against any proposals perceived as undermining Palestinian rights. Egypt and Jordan have maintained their commitment to the Palestinian cause and have expressed a desire to be involved in any recovery efforts for Gaza that do not align with Trump's suggestions.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry has publicly rejected any proposals that would displace Palestinians, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and a cease-fire. Analysts suggest that both Egypt and Jordan will advocate for alternative plans that involve their participation in Gaza's recovery efforts.