Mahmoud Abbas Rejects Attempts to Expel Palestinians from Their Homeland

Author: Dian Kencana
February 16, 2025

The situation in Gaza before the truce. (ANTARA)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas firmly rejected any attempt to expel Palestinians from their homeland. He made this statement during the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday (2/15).

"Anyone who thinks they can impose a new ‘Deal of the Century’ or forcibly remove Palestinians from their land is delusional," Abbas stated.

As quoted by ANTARA from Turkish news agency Anadolu, Abbas argued that calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians were merely distractions from the ongoing war crimes, genocide, and destruction in Gaza. Abbas also condemned the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel's annexation efforts in the West Bank.

According to Abbas, the only rightful place for the 1.5 million refugees currently in Gaza is their original towns and villages, which they were forced to leave in 1948, in line with UN Resolution 194.

Furthermore, Abbas stressed the urgent need to halt Israel’s colonial practices. He called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, to take concrete action to prevent the rise of extremist forces attempting to undermine the two-state solution.

As part of his diplomatic efforts, Abbas also urged support for the upcoming international peace conference scheduled to take place at the UN in mid-June. The summit is expected to strengthen global backing for Palestinian state recognition, secure full UN membership, and accelerate the realization of a two-state solution based on international law.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump previously proposed a controversial plan for Gaza, which included relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries and transforming the region into the "Riviera of the Middle East."

Trump’s "Deal of the Century," announced in 2020 as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was widely rejected by Arab nations and the international community.

A ceasefire in Gaza has been in effect since January 19, halting Israel’s military assault, which has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—and caused massive destruction in the region.