Crypto News: Trump irks Gulf Arab allies

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As columns of destitute Palestinians return to northern Gaza, US President Donald Trump's suggestion to "clean out" the war-ravaged strip and relocate its inhabitants to Egypt and Jordan has ignited a firestorm of criticism across the Middle East.

More noteworthy is that America's firmest Arab allies have joined in the condemnation.

While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — the region's two economic heavyweights, and seen as being closest to Trump — have officially remained silent, they have telegraphed their displeasure.

Media outlets in both countries known to be close to the state have been replete with articles and op-eds condemning the president's comments.

Abu Dhabi normalized ties with Israel during Trump's first term, and Riyadh has expressed readiness to do so under certain conditions. Yet for both, his proposal is tantamount to a direct national-security threat.

Besides destabilizing Egypt and Jordan, US talk of driving out Palestinians from their homeland after the 15-month Israel-Hamas war is seen as vindication by those that have long lambasted the UAE and Saudi Arabia for selling out the Palestinian cause.

That includes Iran and militant groups Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, all of which were quick to lash out at Trump for his proposal.

Israel's government floated a similar plan after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, assault. It's likely to resurface when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington next week.

Trump and Netanyahu in Washington in 2020. Photographer: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Still, Saudi Arabia's UK ambassador, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, has made it abundantly clear without directly addressing Trump's comments that his government expects Palestinians to stay put.

Not just that, but that ensuring they have their own state is a Saudi precondition for it to sign up to Trump's push for Riyadh's participation in postwar reconstruction of Gaza and normalization with Israel.

"Saudi Arabia does not speak publicly often," he told Times Radio on Monday. "But when it does, we say what we mean and we mean what we say." — Sam Dagher

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Trump in 2017. Photographer: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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Upernavik, Greenland. Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images

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