Egypt and Jordan: more minuses than pluses
The idea of resettling the Palestinians of Gaza has become the focus of attention of politicians and the media, and this is undoubtedly good news.
The bad news is that it is extremely problematic to implement, since almost all Muslim countries — and above all, Egypt and Jordan – refuse to accept the masses of Arabs from Gaza.
The reasons for this are obvious. Not to mention the desire to maintain an enclave hostile to Israel to put pressure on Israel and blackmail it, the governments of both countries have more than weighty concerns.
Palestinians comprise about 60 to 70% of Jordanian citizens, and the Muslim Brotherhood, or Hamas, is very strong there. The entire population of the country is small: about 11.5 million people, not to mention the masses of refugees from Syria and Iraq. The latter comprise about 30% of population. The monarchy is still very unstable. How will things develop if, for example, half a million aggressive residents of Gaza are resettled there? An explosion could occur.
In Egypt, they will also become a destabilizing force. Being extremely indoctrinated with Islamic ideology, they will inevitably, as in Jordan, provide a powerful support to the Muslim Brotherhood, which poses a threat to the al-Sisi regime.
In addition, it is not clear where Egypt can settle them. The Nile delta, where Cairo is located, is one of the most densely populated places on the planet: more than 40 million (!) people are concentrated here. It is essentially a giant anthill. Most of the country is desert, a desert unsuitable for normal life.
How will the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of hate-ridden Gazan Arabs in Jordan and Egypt affect Israel’s security?
Here we face numerous risks. In Jordan, they will allow Hamas to form a mini-Hamastan, which will threaten Israel’s weakly fortified border. They will also almost certainly become proxies for Iran and Turkey, who are united in their hatred of the Jewish state.
In Egypt, if they are stationed in Sinai, they will pose a threat to Idrael’s border communities. In addition, if Israel fails to ensure full control of the Philadelphi Corridor, they can return to Gaza through the tunnels.
Most other Arab states will also refuse to accept Gazan Arabs for similar security reasons.
However, in our opinion, there is an exception to this rule, and it can and should be used. This exception is Libya.
Failed state: six or more quasi-states
Libya has a huge territory and a relatively small (7 million people) population. The population density is about 4 people per square kilometer, with most of it concentrated in the coastal areas. It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
But what is more important is that Libya today consists of several quasi-states.
- The officially recognized Government of National Accord or Unity (GNA/GNU) sits in Tripoli in the west of the country. Its authority is limited exclusively to the capital of Libya and its environs.
- In the east, in Tobruk, there is an alternative government subordinate to the House of Representatives, which competes with the GNA/GNU and supports the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar. Haftar controls 90% of the country’s territory, including part of the southern province of Fezzan.
- In the southwest there is an independent region with the largest city – Sabha. This is part of the Fezzan province, populated by nomads, and is not subordinate to either the GNA or Haftar.
- To the northwest of Tripoli, in Zintan, there is an independent entity with its own armed forces.
- To the east of Tripoli is the city of Misurata – the self-proclaimed city-state, closed to other Libyans.
- The coastal city of Sirte is controlled by local militias and terrorist groups. This zone of control is the most unstable and is a battlefield for various armed militias and formations.
When interests converge
Thus, we are dealing with several entities.
All of them (or most of them) are extremely interested in:
- The influx of a fresh population capable of successfully integration;
- Investments to develop local industry, agriculture and infrastructure and to strengthen their armed formations;
- Political dividends and international recognition, which will help them to emerge from isolation into the international arena.This is especially true for two leading players: the NTC and Khalifa Haftar.General Haftar, in alliance with the House of Representatives, controls most of Libya with the province of Cyrenaica (the capital is Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya) and its leading oil and infrastructure facilities, and remains the unrecognized leader of the opposition. He also controls part of the historical territory of Fezzan, which is of strategic importance due to its oil fields and cross-border trade routes.
The Fezzan region is rich in natural resources, but sparsely populated and in dire need of an influx of labor. In addition, Haftar needs a militia that would allow him to resist the raids of tribal militias, Tuaregs and Tebu, as well as the activities of smugglers. In this regard, additional human resources would be extremely useful.
Despite having rich resources, the territories under Haftar’s control suffer from a lack of investment in infrastructure, health and education. This could easily be replenished with Western and Arab aid.
In turn, the GNA/GNA authorities in Tripoli, although they have international support, also suffer from an acute shortage of people. A massive influx of people from Gaza would bring new labor resources and allow them to realize their political ambitions and strengthen their legitimacy in the world, attract the attention of the media and business community.
The excessive influence of the militias makes the GNA/ GNU rule unstable and complicates its rivalry with Haftar. In fact, the GNA/GNU does not have a regular army, which makes the authorities in Tripoli very vulnerable.
Recently, the authorities of this fictitious state have been trying to strengthen their political and economic positions. Together with the Secretary General of the Council of Arab Economic Unity, they are planning a conference on the reconstruction of Libya, with the development of a comprehensive strategy for attracting investors at the regional, international and Arab levels.
The other players are less significant, but can be used to solve the problem of the Arabs of Gaza, since they suffer from similar problems as the PNC/PNA and Haftar.
For all of them, the combination of political, economic and demographic dividends is undoubtedly an excellent incentive to accept refugees.
In turn, in a situation of extreme fragmentation of Libya, the United States could easily influence almost each of the parties to the conflict, using the carrot and stick method.
An entity that agrees to accept and accommodate Palestinians receives generous financial and political support, including international recognition.
And, on the contrary, in case of refusal to cooperate, this entity faces the threat of diplomatic, economic and military support from the other side, as well as sanctions and even an oil embargo.
As for the Arabs from Gaza themselves, integration in Libya can be carried out much easier than in other countries due to related religious, cultural and linguistic factors.
There is no doubt that they will feel much more comfortable in Libya than in Yemen or Morocco, not to mention African countries or Indonesia.
In our opinion, this proposal applies most of all to Khalifa Haftar.
At the same time, this population will not pose a threat not only to Israel, but also to the stability of the Hashemite regime and Egypt.
Geopolitical gains
Implementation of the project in Libya will bring geopolitical dividends to the West.
If any party to the conflict in Libya becomes a partner of the United States in implementing the project (primarily Haftar, who controls most of Libya), Washington gains leverage in this key North African country. This allows strengthening the influence of the United States and containing the expansion of states hostile to America: China, Russia and Turkey.
The EU countries also receive undoubted benefits from the project: obtaining a friendly state (or quasi-state) in the Maghreb, a stable source of energy resources and a barrier against mass migration on the long Libyan border.
In our opinion, cooperation with Haftar is the ideal option in this puzzle.
This will ensure a solution to the plight of the Arabs of Gaza, bring security and stability to the Middle East, including Israel, and moderate regimes friendly to the West, as well as number of geopolitical and energy dividends to the United States and its allies.
Alexander Maistrovoy (Jerusalem) is a journalist and publicist, published in Arutz Sheva/Israel National News, Gatestone Institute, Times of Israel, Jihad Watch, Frontpage Mag, Сanada Free Press, American Thinker, Liberty Unyielding and others. He is the author of Agony of Hercules or a Farewell to Democracy (Notes of a Stranger) and Jewish Atlántida. Mystery of the Lost Tribes (in Russian and Finnish).
Dr. Alexander Rybalov (Jerusalem) learned his PhD in Computer Science from City University of New York and worked at AT&T Labs. He made Aliya in 1999 and served as a Senior Data Scientist in several high-tech and financial companies, as well as a lecturer at the Jerusalem College of Technology. He is the author of 30 publications including a book ‘Country of millionaires’ (in Hebrew) with more with 2000+ citation index.
Ben says
The hamas supporting gaza population should be resettled in hell because that’s where they belong.
Thinker1 says
Mid-Sahara might be a good compromise.
somehistory says
Sounds reasonable; so mozlums will reject it.
Barry Goldberg says
Well thought out and clearly explained. Bibi and his advisers need to pursue this, it would need to be embraced by Trump, his advisers would need to explain its value to Congress, the American public, Europe, and, most of all to Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia; and they all would need to engage in this project, both overtly and covertly. I imagine it would take a lot of time, as well as a lot of carrots and sticks. At 82, I won’t see the hopefully successful conclusion to this matter, but time and hope is what we live on, n’est pas?
ElderlyZionist says
“Palestinians” are Sunni Salafi Syrian Arabs. Syria has lost much population in its civil wars. Few Syrians who have resettled in Europe and elsewhere will ever return. Syria has many abandoned villages and farmland that could be made productive by an industrious population. No doubt the Turkish puppet Syrian government will reject resettling “Palestinians”, but if they were to cross the Syrian border without authorization, would the hajjis shoot them?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Aside from being right on Israel’s border, such a move would endanger even further the Kurds, Druze and Alawites
Nadir Ahmed says
only cruel wicked people deport the indigenous population of people
somehistory says
The “cruel , wicked people” are those pretending that they are “indigenous” to the Land of Israel.
these goons and ghouls have shown just how much they have appreciated living in that ancient Land of the Jews….and how much is that? No appreciation whatsoever.
You should make better choices of whom to support.
Nadir Ahmed says
your denial is common for most war criminals, here is a clear reference to back up the claim that Gazan’s are actually indigenous to Israel!:
More than 80 percent of Gaza’s population are refugees, people who were expelled or fled in 1948 from what is now Israel
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/04/01/no-exit-gaza
“Shew ye neither mercy ne pité unto the starven children of Gaza
Vengeance is mine saith the Lord..
grive yee not for the fallen on Oct 7
for thy soldier of Christ Trump is with thee
as he abdith with you now he shall soon deport the indigenous Gazans and cleanse the land of ungodly folk
for starvation and deportation of the indigenous heathens is the proud Judeo Christian tradition we see all through out history from our father Ivan the terrible to Hitler, Stalin and Andrew Jackson”
somehistory says
Sure. Not buying it. No use trying again. I know Christ. Written use of His Name by someone who knows not, is libel.
Jim Harmon says
FOAD, Nazi filth.
gravenimage says
Most of the “Palestinians” are just Arabs from Syria, Egypt, or even further afield from Israel. And there Arabs did not invade the Levant until Jews had already lived there for millenia.
ElderlyZionist says
How’s your nursing career going lately, Ahmed? Have you been charged yet over that vial of morphine the police found in your hospital locker? You should probably re-locate to Qatar or Riyadh toot sweet.
My Israeli friends tell me they’re done living next door to two million insane Arabs who try to murder them every chance they get. Gaza is finished. One way or another, this week or next year. Finished.
somehistory says
I noticed that name too, when reading the other thread about the fifty groups of mozlum liars.
there are planes leaving every day. he might even qualify for a free ticket to one of those mozlum ruined countries. he could take his cohort in crime along for the ride.
Nadir Ahmed says
“Shew ye neither mercy ne pité unto the starven children of Gaza
Vengeance is mine saith the Lord..
grive yee not for the fallen on Oct 7
for thy soldier of Christ Trump is with thee
as he abdith with you now he shall soon deport the indigenous Gazans and cleanse the land of ungodly folk
for starvation and deportation of the indigenous heathens is the proud Judeo Christian tradition we see all through out history from our father Ivan the terrible to Hitler, Stalin and Andrew Jackson”
gravenimage says
Why are you sneering at the victims of 10/7? Foolish question, of course–like all pious Muslins you love rape and murder of Infidels, Jews especially.
rubiconcrest says
They cannot live where they are. The infrastructure will not support them so you would have them suffer? How is that not cruel?
It should be their choice not yours but theirs. They can live out their lives in tents and use outhouses or perhaps they will choose a better life with a future. They can return when Gaza is rebuilt.
Nadir Ahmed says
Destroyed all of Gaza is part of the ethnic cleansing plan, so they have nothing to go back to. SO the cruelty is with Israel. However your arguments “they can not live where they are , it is bad”, “they all have a better life” , “it should be their choice” is all 18th century propaganda used against the American Indians! you can find your arguments in Andrew Jackson’s address to the Congress to justify the infamous “Indian removal act”:
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/jacksons-message-to-congress-on-indian-removal#:~:text=Jackson%20declared%20that%20removal%20would,%2C%20wealth%2C%20and%20power.%22
you can also google: “voluntary Indian removal act”
And no, Trump said they can not come back
18th century propaganda being circulated in 2025! you have to appeal to the wicked men of old to give you the justification, sanctification, and gratification for the deportation of the indigenous people!
gravenimage says
Gazans did not have to attack Israel–no one forced them to.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Arabs are not indigenous to any part of Israel, Judea, Samaria or Gaza
pete says
Wicked people are all in Gaza, you call them Palestinians.
None of the fellow Muslim Arabs want them
Kepha says
Once upon a time, the great-grandfathers of people who loudly claim to be indigenous Palestinians proudly exhibited genealogies going back to some colonist from the 7th century Hijaz.
Namer says
The problem is no one wants the Palestinians because they bring death and destruction with them everywhere they go. Egypt should build them a settlement and then build an 80 ft tall wall around them so they can live in the dystopia world they crave.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Not Egypt. Too close to Israel, & Palis there would only strengthen the muslim brotherhood – the parent organization of Hamas
Western Libya, Western Sahara and Somalia are all ideal
Princess says
Not far enough. My suggestion would be Antarctica.
abu taleb says
The best solution is settling Palestinians in the houses of the globalists like Biden, Merkel, Trudeau and the commie Pope, also some celebrities like Susan Sarandon or Taylor Swift.
gravenimage says
Is Resettlement of the Gaza Population in Libya the Best Option?
……………………………
Not sure even Libya wants the “Palestinians”…
࿗Infidel࿘ says
He mentioned some of the GNA run areas. That group is allied to Turkey, which is allied to Hamas. So they won’t be destabilized by taking in the Gazans, or even other Palis
I support not making Egypt take them, so that it’s easier to pressurize Cairo to demilitarize the Sinai
The Istanbulian says
A stable country. Qatar.
Lady of the Lake says
Syria is the place… the reasons are numerous …Especially the political ones
࿗Infidel࿘ says
No, it’s too close to Israel, and would also further hurt non-Arabs like Kurds, Druze
Do Somalia, Western Sahara & Western Libya
࿗Infidel࿘ says
The GNA controlled parts of Libya – Tripoli & Sitre – are ideal for this resettlement, but by no means the only ones. The US now has a valuable diplomatic weapon in extending recognition to the entities that want it: make them take in the Palis. Somalia, Western Sahara & Libya all fit this bill
Putting the Palis in Tripolitania instead of Egypt takes off some pressure on Egypt, and makes it easier for the US to pressure Cairo into demilitarizing the Sinai, in accordance w/ Camp David. In the meantime, dispersing the Palis over multiple areas – Tripolitania, Puntland and Western Sahara makes it easier to control, and merge them into other Arab populations
This exercise should be extended to cover the Palis in Judea/Samaria, as well as those Israeli Arab muslims who have jihadist aspirations
skeptiker says
Die Frage ist nicht WOHIN und OB ÜBERHAUPT diese unzivilisierte Volksgruppe aus Gaza, Samaria und Judäa verjagt wird sondern WANN. Ich spende gerne Geld für das One-Way-Ticket. Aber in Europa möchte ich diese Leute auch nicht als Nachbarn haben.
Dorsetone says
No matter which Arab country is put forward for consideration due to it’s space and other factors is irrelevant if 2 million people refuse to be re-located. It is a logistical impossibility to move that number of people if they don’t want to go anywhere unless of course force is used which could be tantamount to a war crime.