Will Trump Force Sisi to Displace Palestinians? Experts Weigh In

Just five days after returning to the White House for his second term set to end in 2029, former U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a massive Arab and international controversy with his calls to forcibly relocate Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza.

Trump’s Call for Ethnic Cleansing

On Saturday, following a phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One:

“I told him (King Abdullah), I want you to take in more [Gaza residents], and I want Egypt to take some as well. We’re talking about nearly 1.5 million people.”

The following day, speaking from his Doral resort in Florida, Trump revealed that he had made a similar request to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, urging him to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

Trump’s comments, which coincided with his decision to approve a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, were described by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius as “like throwing a grenade into the region.”

Can Trump Force Egypt and Jordan to Comply?

While Trump has a history of provoking geopolitical crises, including conflicts with Denmark over Greenland and threats to reclaim the Panama Canal, analysts argue that his stance on Palestine appears more serious.

According to Axios, Trump confidently stated on Tuesday:

“I think President Sisi will take Palestinians from Gaza, and King Abdullah will do the same.”

This assertion was made despite strong rejections from both Egypt and Jordan. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi publicly denounced Trump’s proposal, while Egypt’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal rejection. The Egyptian embassy in Washington also reaffirmed:

“Egypt will not be part of any plan that involves relocating Palestinians to Sinai.”

Trump’s Leverage: Economic and Political Pressure

The Associated Press analyzed whether Trump could force Egypt and Jordan to comply, concluding that his ability to do so depends on his willingness to escalate pressure.

• • The report highlighted that U.S. tariffs and sanctions could severely harm Egypt and Jordan, both of which receive billions in annual American aid.

• • Egypt, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, is particularly vulnerable to financial coercion.

• • Allowing a mass influx of Palestinian refugees could also destabilize Egypt and Jordan, leading to internal unrest.

• • Furthermore, the presence of Palestinian resistance groups within the refugee population could shift future conflicts onto Egyptian soil, potentially jeopardizing the historic Camp David Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel.

U.S. Congress and Additional Pressure on Egypt

Trump’s push for Palestinian displacement comes as U.S. Congress debates Egypt’s alleged violations of its peace treaty with Israel by deploying additional military forces and weapons in Sinai. Some analysts believe this could be used as leverage to pressure Cairo into compliance.

Meanwhile, Israeli media has closely monitored Trump’s remarks. In an editorial on Monday, Yedioth Ahronoth noted that:

“King Abdullah did not explicitly reject Trump’s proposal, possibly to avoid angering the U.S. President.”

The newspaper even advocated for the establishment of temporary refugee camps in northern Sinai, calling the plan “more logical” than other alternatives. However, it acknowledged that:

“Sisi would never accept over a million Palestinians in Egypt.”

Lack of Trust in Sisi’s Public Rejection

Despite Egypt’s official rejection of the displacement plan, many Egyptians remain skeptical of Sisi’s true intentions.

Citing past territorial concessions—including the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, gas-rich maritime areas to Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, and compromises on the Nile River dispute with Ethiopia—many believe that Sisi could privately agree to the plan.

Journalist Abdel Azim Hamad raised concerns that Egypt’s public rejection could be a facade, referencing Netanyahu’s past remark to Trump:

“Ignore what Arab leaders say in public about Palestine, because they whisper their true positions in the dark.”

Is Sisi Trapped Between the U.S. and His Own Military?

The growing controversy has led many analysts to question whether Trump’s demands have put Sisi in a political and military crisis.

The debate centers on two key risks:

1. 1. If Sisi agrees to the displacement plan, he could face outrage from the Egyptian military and public.

1. 1. If he refuses, he risks losing U.S. financial and political backing, leaving him vulnerable to internal opposition and international isolation.

Opposition figures, including Yahya Moussa, argue that:

“Trump will apply maximum pressure on Sisi to accept the deal. Sisi, in turn, fears both Trump’s wrath and a potential uprising from the Egyptian military and public.”

Political commentator Mohamed Sattouhi also believes that Trump is exploiting Egypt’s economic crisis to exert pressure, stating:

“What Trump is demanding isn’t just a tactical concession—it’s an irreversible, strategic shift that will reshape the region in Israel’s favor.”

Sisi’s Three Dilemmas

Political analyst Mamdouh al-Munir outlined three major challenges that Sisi faces in navigating Trump’s demands:

1. 1. Public Backlash

       

      • • The Egyptian public has historically supported Palestine and strongly opposes any forced displacement plan.
      • • Accepting such a proposal would ignite nationwide protests and threaten Sisi’s regime stability.

1. 1. Military Resistance

       

      • • The Egyptian military sees forced displacement as a direct national security threat.
      • • A massive influx of Palestinian resistance fighters into Sinai would disrupt security dynamics and potentially draw Egypt into direct conflict with Israel.

1. 1. Trump and Israel’s Pressure

       

      • • Washington and Tel Aviv will continue applying economic and political pressure on Egypt, knowing that the current crisis presents an unparalleled opportunity to reshape regional dynamics.
      • • Egypt could face crippling sanctions or internal political destabilization if Sisi refuses to comply.

The Future of Trump’s Displacement Plan

While Trump and Israel see the Gaza displacement scheme as an ideal “final solution”, the resistance from Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian people remains firm.

Al-Munir concluded:

“If Sisi agrees to Trump’s plan, he risks an internal military coup. If he refuses, he risks economic collapse. Either way, Egypt is facing one of the biggest geopolitical dilemmas in its modern history.”

A Historic Turning Point for Palestine and the Region

Amid Trump’s escalating rhetoric, analysts believe that the Palestinian resistance, regional solidarity, and public opposition will determine the fate of this forced displacement scheme.

For now, one thing remains clear: Palestine will not be erased, and the struggle for liberation continues.