Gulf State Insists on Wording Change in Arab Summit Statement on Gaza Displacement
Diplomatic Disputes Emerge Over Final Statement as Cairo Prepares to Host Critical Regional Talks on February 27.
Watan-Diplomatic sources at the Arab League have revealed details regarding the behind-the-scenes contacts related to arranging the emergency Arab summit, which will be hosted in Cairo on February 27. The sources clarified that despite broad consensus on affirming the final statement’s categorical rejection of the displacement of Gaza’s residents, one member state caused a crisis by insisting on modifying the final wording.
An Arab diplomat stated that the contacts led by Cairo and Jordan in recent days resulted in widespread agreement on several general principles to be included in the summit’s final statement, foremost among them the absolute rejection of the displacement of Palestinians, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, from their lands.
Arab Summit in Cairo to Address Gaza Crisis
The diplomat added that one Gulf state, a member of the Arab League, took a firm stance in insisting on modifying the text concerning the rejection of displacement as a condition for approving the statement. That state demanded the addition of the word “forced” to the phrase “categorical rejection of displacement,” limiting its opposition specifically to the forced expulsion of Palestinians.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that Cairo will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss the grave developments of the Palestinian issue. 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 also comes after consultations and coordination at the highest levels with Arab sister states in recent days, including Palestine, which requested the summit, to address the latest and most dangerous developments concerning the Palestinian cause.”
Earlier, Egyptian diplomatic sources told that Cairo had received indications that Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa would attend the summit in Cairo as Damascus’ representative. The emergency summit was called to discuss the situation in Gaza and counter Israeli and American plans regarding the displacement of Gaza’s residents.
The Arab summit comes amid widespread regional and global condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for Israel to take control of Gaza and establish what he described as the “Middle East Riviera” in the strip, following the resettlement of Palestinians elsewhere.
