Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Standing at the Rafah border crossing on Monday morning, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty delivered a firm message to the international community: Egypt categorically rejects any plans or attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, calling such schemes a direct assault on Palestinian national rights and a grave injustice.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, the foreign minister emphasized Egypt’s unwavering support for the resilience of the Palestinian people, who continue to endure extraordinary hardships under what he described as “inhumane and unsustainable” Israeli policies.
“The Palestinian people have shown remarkable strength and resilience,” Abdel Aaty said. “Despite more than eight decades of occupation and aggression, they remain steadfast on their land. This resilience is what has kept the Palestinian cause alive in the global conscience.”
Addressing recent reports that some nations may be open to hosting displaced Palestinians from Gaza, Abdel Aaty confirmed that Egypt has launched diplomatic engagements with governments mentioned in such reports. He stated that these nations had denied any involvement in or support for forced displacement.
“Every country we’ve spoken to has reaffirmed that they will not be complicit in this injustice,” he noted. “They have described such notions as unrealistic and unacceptable. I call on all nations around the world not to participate in what would amount to a grave crime—an effort to erase the Palestinian cause through displacement.”
He continued emphatically: “This is something Egypt will neither accept nor participate in. The forced transfer of Palestinians is a red line.”
Rejecting the Notion of a ‘Greater Israel’
In a clear rebuttal to expansionist rhetoric emerging from some Israeli circles, Foreign Minister Abdel Aaty also dismissed the concept of a so-called “Greater Israel” as a dangerous and delusional fantasy that poses a direct threat to peace and stability in the region.
“We hear talk of historic or religious rights as a justification for territorial expansion these are illusions, empty slogans,” he said. “Such ideas are not only rejected by Egypt, but by the vast majority of the international community.”
Reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to a just and comprehensive peace, Abdel Aaty emphasized that only a negotiated solution that secures the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital can lead to lasting stability.
“Our vision remains clear,” he said. “We advocate for peaceful coexistence, not domination. We support a future where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side, with equal rights and mutual recognition. This is the only path forward.”
The foreign minister revealed that he has held extensive consultations with counterparts in both the Arab and Western worlds, and that there is growing consensus in rejecting not only forced displacement but also expansionist ideologies that undermine the prospects for peace.
“These dangerous narratives are condemned across the board,” he said. “The world must stay united in defending international law and the rights of oppressed peoples, starting with the Palestinians.”
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Egypt continues to play a central role in mediation efforts and in providing critical aid to those affected. Rafah remains a vital lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza, and Cairo has repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping the crossing open for humanitarian assistance while resisting any pressure to use it as a channel for mass displacement.
In closing, Abdel Aaty called on the global community to act with moral clarity and political resolve.
“We are at a turning point,” he said. “This is not just about territory. It’s about dignity, justice, and the future of an entire people. Egypt will continue to stand on the side of right, as it always has.”
