International support is mounting for an Arab counterproposal to former US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan for Gaza, with Islamic nations and European governments rallying behind the alternative approach. Unlike Trump’s proposal, which aimed to take over Gaza and forcibly relocate its 2.4 million residents, the Arab plan focuses on rebuilding the war-torn region.
The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) formally adopted the counterproposal at an emergency meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just days after the Arab League approved it at a summit in Cairo. In a statement, the OIC urged the international community and financial institutions to provide immediate support for Gaza’s early recovery and reconstruction.
Trump’s suggestion that the US “take over” Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” by relocating Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan has been met with widespread condemnation. Critics have labeled the idea as an attempt at ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians, calling it a war crime. Speaking at the OIC meeting, he urged Islamic nations to reject any proposal that seeks to alter the demographics of occupied Palestinian territories. He also called for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and unrestricted humanitarian access.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomed the OIC’s backing and expressed hopes that the plan would gain broader international endorsement, including from the European Union, Japan, Russia, China, and even the United States.
