Egypt’s President Sisi Rejects White House Visit Over Trump’s Gaza Displacement Plan
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declined an invitation to visit the White House as long as U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza remains on the agenda, according to two Egyptian security sources. The move underscores growing tensions between the two allies over Trump’s proposal, which has sparked widespread condemnation across the Arab world.
Trump’s Controversial Gaza Plan
Trump’s plan, which aims to permanently displace over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and transform the territory into what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East,” has been met with fierce opposition. The U.S. president has reportedly pressured Egypt and Jordan to absorb the displaced Palestinians, threatening to withdraw aid if they refuse.
Egypt, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, has firmly rejected the proposal, with Sisi repeatedly stating that Cairo will not facilitate the expulsion of Palestinians. The Egyptian president views such a move as a threat to national security, fearing it could breed extremism, provoke future Israeli attacks, and perpetuate injustice against the Palestinian people.
Diplomatic Standoff
Earlier this month, Trump extended an open invitation to Sisi to visit the White House. However, no date was set for the visit, and Egyptian officials have made it clear that Sisi will not attend if the displacement plan is on the table.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty visited Washington this week in what sources described as an effort to avoid a potentially awkward presidential visit. During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Abdelatty was reportedly informed that Trump’s Gaza plan would be a key topic of discussion if Sisi were to visit.
Abdelatty responded that such a meeting would be futile and instead proposed discussions centered on Egypt’s own plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which emphasizes keeping Palestinians on their land.
Regional Backlash
Trump’s proposal has also strained relations with Jordan, another critical U.S. ally in the region. Jordan’s King Abdullah appeared visibly uncomfortable during a meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday, where the Gaza plan was discussed.
On Wednesday, Sisi and King Abdullah spoke by phone, reaffirming their commitment to rebuilding Gaza without displacing its Palestinian population. Both leaders urged Trump to support the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and to work toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
U.S.-Egypt Relations Under Strain
Egypt’s close cooperation with the United States has been a cornerstone of Washington’s Middle East policy for decades. Since the U.S.-brokered peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979, Egypt has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid, receiving $1.3 billion in 2024 alone. In December, the U.S. approved the potential sale of over $5 billion worth of arms to Egypt.
Despite this longstanding partnership, Trump’s Gaza plan has tested the limits of the relationship. While Rubio did not reiterate Trump’s threats to cut military aid during his meeting with Abdelatty, the underlying tensions remain.
A Question of National Interest
H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that while Egypt values its relationship with the U.S., it will not compromise its national interests. “There is no supplier that compares to the Americans, which is why for so long Egypt has been happy to maintain this relationship, but it wouldn’t be at the expense of their own national interest,” Hellyer said.
What’s Next?
The diplomatic standoff highlights the growing divide between the U.S. and its Arab allies over the Palestinian issue. As Trump pushes forward with his controversial plan, Egypt and Jordan are standing firm in their opposition, emphasizing the need for a just and sustainable solution that respects Palestinian rights.
For now, Sisi’s refusal to visit the White House sends a clear message: Egypt will not be coerced into supporting a plan that undermines its security and the rights of the Palestinian people.
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Egypt’s President Sisi Rejects White House Visit Over Trump’s Gaza Displacement Plan