Naguib Sawiris' tweet about ‘Brother Trump's’ proposal sparks controversy

Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris commented on US President Donald Trump’s proposal to transfer the residents of Gaza to neighbouring countries, stressing that the solution and peace lie only in the two-state solution.

Sawiris said in a tweet on X yesterday that “Brother Trump wants Palestinians to emigrate to Egypt and Jordan… There is no solution and no peace except through the two-state solution.”

“The two-state solution will also open the door for the elected representatives of the Palestinian people to rule Gaza and the West Bank, end Hamas’s monopoly over Gaza, facilitate the process of rebuilding Gaza, and end the suffering of its residents.”

Sawiris’ tweet sparked controversy among social media activists, one responded: “A strong response from Egypt is needed.”

Another commented: “I completely agree with you that the two-state solution is the just and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue. The international community must pressure Israel to end the occupation and implement international resolutions. Efforts to unify the Palestinian ranks and work to build strong democratic institutions must also be supported.”

READ: ‘Clean out that whole thing’: Trump proposes relocating Palestinians outside Gaza

“The solution is to establish a new Arab state,” said another user, while a fourth said, “Trump has a three-state solution: Gaza – the West Bank – Israel.”

“The problem of Gaza, the West Bank and all of historical Palestine is the existence of the occupation. With the end of the occupation, all problems will end,” one X user added.

Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that he had spoken to Jordan’s King Abdullah II about transferring people from the devastated Gaza Strip to neighbouring countries, noting that he would also speak to the Egyptian president about the plan.

“I said to him, I’d love you to take on more, because I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. I’d like him to take people. I’d like Egypt to take people. You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing.”

“I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where they can maybe live in peace,” he said, adding that this solution could be temporary or it could be long term.

Right-wing members of Israel’s government Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were the first to praise Trump’s comments. They have advocated for the displacement of Palestinians out of Gaza since the start of Israel’s genocidal campaign in the enclave.

READ: ‘Jordan is for Jordanians, Palestine for is Palestinians," Amman’s FM says