Arab League And Gulf Cooperation Council Reject Trump's Gaza Proposal Amid International Concerns

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), have firmly rejected any proposal to "transfer" or "displace" the people of Gaza. They stated that such actions are unacceptable to Palestinians, Arab states, and the international community. Their remarks were made during the "State of the Arab World" session at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai.

Aboul Gheit warned that ongoing pressure from US President Donald Trump on Gazans and Arab states could lead to further conflict in the Middle East. He believes this would hinder conflict resolution efforts and delay a two-state solution. The summit, which began on February 11, will continue until February 13 under the theme "Shaping Future Governments."

The Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes a Palestinian state in exchange for peace with Israel, will be reintroduced at an emergency Arab summit in Cairo on February 27. Aboul Gheit emphasised that the Arab world can rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents by collaborating with international partners through a multi-phase plan over several years.

"Relocating Gaza’s population is not only an injustice to the Palestinian people but also a denial of their legitimate right to their land and self-determination," Aboul Gheit stated. He stressed that this notion has been resisted by the Arab world for nearly a century and will continue to be opposed.

Aboul Gheit criticised the US approach, arguing that resolving the conflict by displacing Palestinians from Gaza would only escalate tensions. This could extend conflicts beyond Gaza and Israel. He insisted on a settlement between Palestine and Israel that ensures peaceful coexistence within a regional economic framework while establishing a Palestinian state.

Al Budaiwi echoed these sentiments, reiterating rejection of Trump's "deal" for Gaza. He stressed it cannot displace Palestinians and called for renewed efforts to mobilise Western support for the Arab Peace Initiative.

Summit Highlights

This year's summit in Dubai brings together over 30 heads of state and government, more than 80 international and regional organisations, and 140 government delegations. The agenda includes 21 global forums exploring major future trends, over 200 interactive sessions with more than 300 prominent speakers—including presidents, ministers, experts, thought leaders—and over 30 ministerial meetings attended by more than 400 ministers.

Al Budaiwi highlighted Gulf-American relations but emphasised that no solution can be imposed by force. He raised questions about how the Arab world should respond to current challenges. The summit will publish 30 strategic reports in collaboration with international knowledge partners.

The discussions at WGS aim to address significant global transformations while shaping future governance strategies. Participants include decision-makers from various sectors who engage in dialogues about pressing issues affecting governments worldwide.

With inputs from WAM