Egypt’s Foreign Minister Visits Washington Amid Trump’s Controversial Gaza Remarks

Egyptian Foreign Minister travels to Washington for high-level talks following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial comments on the Gaza conflict. Discussions expected to focus on regional stability and U.S.-Egypt relations.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, arrived in Washington on Monday and was welcomed by his counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Relations between Egypt and the United States have deteriorated following recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, suggesting that the Gaza Strip could be transformed into the “Riviera of the Middle East” and stating that Palestinians would not have a right to return.

Trump suggested that Palestinians should be accommodated by neighboring countries, Egypt and Jordan.

The Foreign Ministries of both Egypt and Jordan have strongly opposed the idea.

Trump asserted that he had a phone conversation with Egyptian President el-Sisi, but this claim was disputed by the Egyptian media, which cited an unnamed official source.

Sisi described the proposed forced displacement of Palestinians as an “act of injustice” and stated that his country would not be involved. He added that this plan posed a security concern for Egypt.

Egypt is home to tens of thousands of Palestinians, whereas Jordan hosts several million.

In late January, Sisi confirmed that Egypt would collaborate with the US to achieve a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas founded on a two-state solution.