Sisi Refuses Washington Visit Over Trump’s Gaza Displacement Plan

Cairo (Quds News Network)- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi will not visit Washington if US President Donald Trump insists on discussing his plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza. Reuters reported the decision, citing two Egyptian security sources.

Trump’s proposal has sparked outrage across the Arab world. He wants to expel Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, place the territory under US control, and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He has pressured Egypt and Jordan to take in expelled native Palestinians, threatening to cut US aid if they refuse.

Egypt confirmed that Trump extended an open invitation to Sisi earlier this month. However, a US official said no visit has been scheduled. Egypt’s presidency and foreign ministry have not commented on the matter.

Jordan’s King Abdullah appeared uncomfortable during a White House meeting with Trump on
Tuesday, where Trump’s plan was discussed.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty traveled to Washington this week. Egyptian sources said one goal of his visit was to avoid a politically difficult trip for Sisi. During a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Abdelatty was told that Gaza’s plan of ethnic cleansing would be on the agenda if Sisi visited. Abdelatty dismissed the idea, saying discussions should focus on Egypt’s own reconstruction plan for Gaza, which aims to keep Palestinians on their land.

For decades, Egypt has been a key US ally in the Middle East. Since signing a US-brokered normalization treaty with Israel over 40 years ago, Egypt has remained one of the largest recipients of American military aid, securing its borders with occupation state.