In a significant diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia has spearheaded a coalition of Arab and Muslim-majority nations in formally rejecting Israel’s proposed one-way opening of the Rafah border crossing. The joint statement, issued on December 5th and endorsed by foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Qatar, represents a consolidated regional position against the potential displacement of Gaza residents.
The coalition’s declaration emphasizes their ‘absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land,’ while simultaneously expressing appreciation for President Donald Trump’s peace initiatives. The statement specifically calls for full adherence to the Trump administration’s proposed plan, which mandates keeping the Rafah crossing operational in both directions to ensure freedom of movement.
Beyond border concerns, the multilateral agreement outlines a comprehensive vision for regional stability that includes maintaining ceasefire arrangements, facilitating uninterrupted humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, and initiating reconstruction efforts. The coalition further stressed the necessity of creating conditions that would enable the Palestinian Authority to resume governance responsibilities across Palestinian territories.
The participating nations concluded by reaffirming their commitment to continued coordination with the United States and international stakeholders to establish foundations for a just and sustainable peace. This diplomatic framework explicitly endorses the two-state solution based on pre-June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state encompassing both Gaza and the West Bank.