Gulf State Sets Condition on Arab Summit Statement Regarding Gaza Displacement
As Cairo prepares to host an emergency Arab summit on February 27, divisions emerge over the wording of a final statement rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Watan-Diplomatic sources within the Arab League revealed details about the behind-the-scenes negotiations related to arranging the emergency Arab summit, which Cairo will host on February 27. The sources explained that while there is broad consensus on including a firm rejection of the displacement of Gaza’s residents in the final statement, one member state has caused a dispute by insisting on modifications to the final wording.
An Arab diplomat stated that the recent communications led by Cairo and Amman have resulted in widespread agreement on several key principles to be included in the summit’s final statement. Chief among them is the absolute rejection of the displacement of Palestinians, whether from Gaza or the West Bank.
The diplomat added that one Gulf state, a member of the Arab League, has taken a firm stance on modifying the wording of the statement. Specifically, this country insists on adding the word “forced” to the phrase “absolute rejection of displacement”—narrowing its position to opposing only the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Egypt Confirms Emergency Arab Summit on February 27
On Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Cairo will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss the serious developments concerning the Palestinian issue, reaffirming a report published by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed two days earlier.
The ministry stated:”The Arab Republic of Egypt will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27, 2025, in Cairo, following coordination with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the current chair of the Arab Summit, and the General Secretariat of the Arab League. This decision also follows high-level consultations and coordination between Egypt and its Arab counterparts in recent days, including Palestine, which formally requested the summit to address the emerging and grave developments concerning the Palestinian cause.”
Syria to Participate in the Emergency Summit
Previously, Egyptian diplomatic sources informed that Cairo received indications that Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa will attend the summit as Damascus’ representative. His participation underscores the Arab League’s focus on addressing the situation in Gaza and countering Israeli and American plans for the displacement of the enclave’s residents.
The emergency summit takes place amid widespread regional and global condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for Israel to take control of Gaza and transform it into what he described as the “Middle East Riviera” after relocating Palestinians elsewhere.
