In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm on Thursday, Pandor called for regional unity and urged Egypt and Saudi Arabia to take decisive action to protect the region’s sovereignty and independence.
In January, Trump proposed forcibly displacing the native Palestinian population to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab and Muslim countries to create a "Riviera in the Middle East."
In response, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinians, and other Arab nations swiftly and categorically rejected Trump’s displacement proposals, reaffirming that the only just solution is the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders.
"I feel extremely pessimistic about the potential negative consequences of the new US administration led by Trump," Pandor said, noting its "hostile, even extremist and increasingly hateful approach towards the Middle East, with little emphasis on achieving peace and security."
The former foreign minister stressed the role of key regional powers like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, stating that "they have a responsibility to … push toward defending the sovereignty, freedom, and independence of the region" and should work together to confront these grave threats to regional security.
She further asserted that securing a just solution to the Palestinian cause is now the only viable guarantee for maintaining regional and global peace and security.
Arab public opposition
Moreover, Pandor urged a firm rejection of any attempts to take over Gaza, emphasizing that Egypt and Saudi Arabia should leverage public opposition to Trump’s proposal and lead a unified regional response.
"I believe that (Trump) threats to seize Gaza should push Egypt and Saudi Arabia to lead a unified and coordinated response for the region, backed by all influential nations in the area."
Arab states have roundly condemned Trump's proposal as a dismissal of Palestinian's historic rights and a threat to regional stability, urging an international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Riyadh will host a mini-Arab summit on Friday to discuss alternatives to Trump's Gaza plan. Meanwhile, Egypt will hold its emergency Arab summit on 4 March in Cairo to formulate a unified Arab stance against Trump's ethnic cleansing proposal.
The Saudi news agency (SPA) reported on Thursday that the Riyadh meeting is an “informal gathering” and that joint Arab action and any relevant decisions will be included in the agenda of Cairo’s summit.
Earlier in February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested Saudi Arabia could host Palestinians, a remark that Riyadh and the Arab world widely condemned.
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed that it will not normalize ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt role in regional stability
Pandor underlined Egypt’s vital role in Middle East stability, stressing the need for strong Arab and African support.
“Egypt has played a crucial and formidable role in the region, exerting significant influence over numerous key issues. I believe that the continuous targeting of Egypt stems from efforts to undermine this influence," she stated.
Pandor, serving as executive director of the Nelson Mandela Foundation for Combating Apartheid, also highlighted the necessity of support from African Union member states.
She indicated that such backing is vital to solidifying Egypt’s leadership role in Africa and bolstering its ability to maintain continental unity.
Israeli genocide
Reflecting on her leadership in South Africa’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Pandor revealed that she had been subjected to a sustained campaign of media incitement orchestrated by Zionist lobbying groups following her public stance against the Israeli war on Gaza.
In December 2023, South Africa accused Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention – set up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust – during its military campaign in Gaza in front of the ICJ.
"I received numerous threatening text messages, some targeting me directly and others directed at my family. These threats ultimately forced me to step down from my position to protect them," said Pandor, who resigned from her ministerial post in June 2024.
Zionist lobbies
She asserted that the 15-month Israeli war on Gaza has demonstrated that Israel, with the support of its powerful allies — particularly the United States — is willing to commit acts of genocide, violate international laws, and take extreme measures to achieve “full occupation over Palestinian territories.”
"I continue to face systematic intimidation campaigns as retribution for supporting Palestinian rights, but this will not deter me from my unwavering belief in this just cause," Pandor noted.
Additionally, Pandor asserted that Zionism, through its media and intelligence networks, represents a "real problem" and a "dangerous negative force."
She cited evidence of systematic efforts to expand Israeli influence in Africa and other regions.
"Therefore, we must remain vigilant and dedicate greater attention to countering the harm and risks posed by these negative Zionist lobbies," she emphasized.
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