Egyptians rally at Rafah crossing in protest of Trump's Gaza plan
4 Min Read
The demonstration has been hailed as a powerful rejection of Trump’s controversial rhetoric and a reaffirmation of Egypt’s longstanding commitment to Palestinian rights.
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Egyptians prepare to rally at Rafah crossing in protest of Trump's plan to forcibly displace Palestinians to Sinai. (@EsdpEgy/X)
Thousands of Egyptians from across the country have gathered in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, marching toward the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The mass mobilization is a direct response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting the forced displacement of Gaza’s residents to Egypt and Jordan.
Images and videos circulating on social media show massive crowds of Egyptian citizens, from different political and social backgrounds, making their way to the border crossing in North Sinai.
This demonstration has been hailed as a powerful rejection of Trump’s controversial rhetoric and a reaffirmation of Egypt’s longstanding commitment to Palestinian rights.
Activists have described the protest as the largest of its kind, with participants declaring their opposition to the displacement plan as an affront to the Palestinian cause.
"The people of Egypt are responding to Trump’s threat," one activist stated. "This is not just a protest; it is a message of unwavering support for Gaza and its people."
The movement is not just limited to the streets. Political forces, parties, unions, and civil society groups across Egypt have mobilized to join the cause, underscoring the broader national unity in condemning any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians.
"Such a proposal would effectively be a liquidation of the Palestinian cause," one protester asserted, stressing that it would also violate Palestinians' fundamental right to self-determination.
لا خوف على الامة المصرية لان بها رجال 💪🏻 الخوف علي عالم يحكمه أشباه الرجال😎نحن المصريين علي العالم أن ينتظرنا اليوم في سيناء وفي قلب #معبر_رفح و #مليونية_رفح 🇪🇬✌🏻#TrumpNoDisplacement pic.twitter.com/8bwQODavMz
— hosny nagy.. (@hosny_nagy1) January 31, 2025
Trending on social media was the hashtag #TrumpNoDisplacement, which reflects the public outcry and widespread rejection of the plan. For many Egyptians, this demonstration serves as a reminder of their country’s central role in advocating for Palestinian sovereignty.
Egypt rejects Trump's proposal to resettle Palestinians
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi firmly opposed, on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Cairo accepts Palestinian refugees from Gaza, calling it an "act of injustice" that would endanger Egypt's security. His rejection comes amid reports that Trump has been pressuring Egypt and Jordan to take in forcibly displaced Palestinians, even hinting at potential aid cuts as leverage.
During a press conference alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, el-Sisi reaffirmed his stance, stating that Egypt is committed to facilitating a resolution in Palestine based on a "two-state" solution.
"Regarding what is being said about the displacement of Palestinians, it can never be tolerated or allowed because of its impact on Egyptian national security," he declared. "The deportation or displacement of the Palestinian people is an injustice in which we cannot participate."
Exodus rejected
Trump's remarks over the weekend called for both Egypt and Jordan to "take Palestinians", referring to Gaza as a "demolition site" due to months of Israeli bombardment.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that he had discussed the matter with el-Sisi, stressing, "I wish he would take some. We helped them a lot, and I'm sure he'd help us... But I think he would do it, and I think the King of Jordan would do it too." However, Egypt denied that such a conversation had taken place.
El-Sisi stressed that the Egyptian people would strongly oppose any plan that forces Palestinians out of their homeland. "If I asked the Egyptian people about Trump's suggestion, they would take to the streets to reject the displacement of Palestinians," he noted. Egypt's state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper echoed this sentiment, declaring, "Egypt [speaks] as one man: The people reject displacement and support efforts to protect national security as the Palestinians write their 'epic of return'."
El-Sisi also stressed the importance of the two-state solution, calling it a fundamental right that cannot be ignored. He expressed confidence that Trump "is able to achieve that goal for a just and permanent peace in the Middle East."
Read more: Trump pressures Egypt, Jordan to accept Gazans, hints at aid cuts: FT
