At times of geopolitical crisis, the loudest voices often belong to those who thrive on chaos and short-term reactionary solutions. But history teaches us a simple truth: lasting peace is not built on the foundations of displacement, forced migration, or demographic engineering. It is built on justice, dignity, and a recognition of the inalienable rights of all people.
Nowhere is this lesson more relevant than in the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where the humanitarian catastrophe has given rise to appalling proposals advocating the forced displacement of the Palestinians. These calls, some subtle, others more overt, range from suggesting the permanent removal of Gaza’s population to pushing for their relocation to neighbouring countries.
Such ideas are not only impractical, but they are also morally indefensible. They echo some of the darkest chapters of modern history, where entire populations were uprooted in the name of security, power, or ideology, leaving behind legacies of resentment, instability, and perpetual conflict.
The idea that the Palestinians in Gaza should be permanently removed from their land is not only a violation of international law but also a recipe for endless instability in the region. It is an idea born of desperation or ideological fanaticism, not strategic foresight. If history has shown anything, it is that forced expulsions do not resolve conflicts; they entrench them. The mass displacement of populations leads to generational trauma, fuels radicalisation, and fosters an enduring sense of injustice that makes peace impossible.
Moreover, the logistical and political implications of such a move would be disastrous. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other responsible regional actors have already rejected these proposals outright, recognising their dangerous implications.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has firmly stated that Gaza’s population cannot and should not be forcibly relocated to Sinai, a move that would not only violate Palestinian sovereignty but would also fundamentally alter the geopolitics of the region in unpredictable ways. Saudi Arabia, which has positioned itself as a key mediator in regional diplomacy, has similarly warned against any attempt to remove Gaza’s population from its land.
These countries, alongside many others in the international community, understand that any forced displacement of Palestinians would serve only to deepen the roots of conflict rather than resolve them.
At this moment of crisis, the world must listen to voices advocating sanity. These are not voices of naïve idealism, nor are they voices detached from the realities of war and security. They are the voices of statesmen, diplomats, and experts who understand that a just and lasting peace cannot be built on the suffering of an entire people.
Egypt’s steadfast opposition to displacement is rooted in a deep understanding of history and its consequences. Cairo understands that a depopulated Gaza would become a new geopolitical powder keg, shifting the Palestinian cause into an even more dangerous phase of struggle, one in which statelessness and exile would fuel a permanent crisis.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s insistence on a political solution rather than forced migration aligns with its broader vision of regional stability, where economic integration and diplomatic reconciliation replace cycles of war.
These voices are not alone. The United Nations, the European Union, and major human rights organisations have all condemned any attempt to forcibly remove the Palestinians from their homeland. Their warnings are clear: not only would such a move violate basic principles of international law, but it would also set a dangerous precedent, legitimising ethnic cleansing as a geopolitical tool.
It can be easy, in moments of crisis, to be swayed by arguments that promise security at the expense of justice. But history has shown that peace achieved through injustice is no peace at all. If there is to be a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it must be one based on coexistence, mutual recognition, and dignity.
The world cannot afford to be complicit in calls for forced displacement. Instead, the focus must be on immediate humanitarian relief, the cessation of violence, and a return to meaningful negotiations that address the core grievances of all sides. The insanity of war and displacement has already inflicted unspeakable suffering on millions. The least the world can do is ensure that the voice of sanity is not drowned out now.
* The writer is a senior adviser to the Grand Mufti of Egypt.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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