Egypt’s prominent school Al-Azhar calls for rejecting plans to displace Palestinians

By Ibrahim Khazen and Mohammad Sio

CAIRO (AA) – Egypt's Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, called on Arab, Muslim and world leaders on Wednesday to reject plans to displace Palestinians from their land.

In a statement, the Cairo-based institution called for supporting Egyptian and Arab positions on rebuilding the Gaza Strip without relocating its population and piling pressure to implement a ceasefire deal in the enclave.

“No one has the right to force or compel the Palestinian people to accept proposals that are inapplicable, and the entire world must respect the Palestinians' right to live on their land and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” it said.

The prestigious institution urged “Arab, Muslim and world leaders to reject displacement schemes that aim to obliterate the Palestinian cause forever by forcing Palestinians to leave their homeland.”

“The international community's failure to support the oppressed and downtrodden will push the entire world – from East to West – into instability, transforming it into a real jungle where the strong devour the rights of the weak and marginalized,” it warned.

It also called on religious institutions worldwide “to direct the voice of religion in defense of the marginalized in Palestine.”

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called to take over Gaza and resettle Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan, an idea widely rejected by Palestinians and Arab leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested last week that Palestinians should establish their state in Saudi Arabia rather than in their own homeland, dismissing any notion of Palestinian sovereignty.

The proposals for Palestinian displacement come amid a ceasefire agreement that took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,200 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.