Arab World Anti-Trump Sentiment following the February 4th Gaza Plan Proposal 

Introduction 

Becoming a successful third-party negotiator between Israel and Palestine has challenged generations of U.S. Presidents. Following Trump’s re-election and Biden’s failure to broker a deal after the October 7th attacks, U.S. policy toward Gaza has grown increasingly contentious. On February 4, 2025, after the January 17 ceasefire, Trump unveiled a controversial new plan for Gaza: relocating tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, while the U.S. redevelops the region into a “Middle Eastern Riviera.” An accompanying AI-generated video featured casinos, beach clubs, dancers, golden Trump statues, and Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relaxing on the beach (Baba et al., 2025). Critics, including regional leaders and scholars, have condemned the proposal as a form of forced displacement (Zvobgo, 2025). While public opinion in the Arab world regarding Trump has somewhat fluctuated, it is notable to observe how Trump’s newest initiatives in the region will be received by the public. 

Transition of Arab Sentiment towards Trump 

Disapproval of Trump from the Arab world was potent during his first term, specifically regarding his Middle East policy. As shown in the table below, his 2017 approval ratings across the entire region came in at only 12%, citing his pro-Israel approach as a major factor (Arab Center, 2017). This perception continued throughout his first term. By 2020 the Arab Barometer showed that Trump’s disapproval rating ranged from 70%-85% in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. 

Arab public sentiment against Trump was also exasperated by his AI video depicting his Gaza plan, specifically among traditional Palestinian allies who found it distasteful regarding current Palestinian suffering (Hamzawy et al., 2025). Trump’s Gaza policy has even spurred decline in approval from populations which typically were favorable to Trump policy specifically surrounding his approach to the Abraham accords – such as in the UAE and Bahrain (Pollock and Rosen, Bawaba). Organizations such as the Arab Barometer and the Pew Research center have noted that following the Gaza proposal, anti-american sentiment and anti-Trump attitudes have been trending to exceed 2020 levels across the Arab world as a whole, though direct percentages are still emerging. This backlash has become evident in regional media and commentary by civil society organizations who disapprove of Trump’s attempt to frame the plan of displacement as development (Gregorian, 2025; Zvobgo, 2025).

Reactions from Arab Leadership 

Several Arab governments have publicly rebuked Trump’s Gaza plan. Egypt and Jordan, who were both specifically named as potential places for relocation, denounced the plan. Egypt’s foreign ministry emphasized its refusal to accept displaced Palestinians and reiterated the importance of Palestinian sovereignty (Gregorian, 2025). Jordan also warned that a forced, orchestrated resettlement would only further regional instability. A shift in attitude towards Trump can also be seen in countries who previously were favorable to Trump’s foreign policy in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. While they did not publicly speak on their view of Trump’s initiative, some scholars believe that their silence indicates a shift back towards a unified stance in the region regarding the protection of Palestinian autonomy (Zvobgo, 2025). 

The Arab League’s Counterproposal 

Following Trump’s proposal, the Arab League – consisting of 2 Arab states in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa conducted an emergency meeting on March 4th in Cairo which intended to create a unified alternative to Trump’s plan. The result was led by Egypt and supported by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan – a $53 billion reconstruction initiative with the funds to be allocated towards rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure and preserving the demographic of the region – meaning displaced Palestinains would be able to remain in the territory (VOA News, 2025). In addition, Arab donors would oversee investment in schools, hospitals, utilities and government buildings. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasized that “the solution lies in reconstruction and sovereignty – not in forced removal or aesthetic rebranding of occupation” (Carnegie Endowment, 2025). Some analysts have noted that  this proposal is a rare unification of often divided regional powers and does well in resisting further external involvement in Palestinian affairs, suggesting this may be a more stable approach that prioritizes Palestinian autonomy. 

Conclusion 

President Trump’s 2025 Gaza plan has evidently exacerbated preexisting negative approval towards his administration, both among countries which were traditionally anti-American influence as well as among some traditional regional allies. This backlash, as evidenced from 2020 approval rating as well as current public dissent from Arab governments, shows a more towards a more unified Arab world- at least in its attitude toward protection of Palestinian sovereignty. Regardless of one’s stance on Trump’s current Middle East policies, it is clear that any lasting peace in the region will require the genuine support of regional stakeholders and a meaningful commitment to addressing the needs and rights of the Palestinian people.

References

Arab Attitudes toward President Trump and his Middle East Policies and Positions. (2021, August 25). Arab Center Washington DC. 

https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/arabs-opinion-trump-oct-2017/ 

ARAB ATTITUDES TOWARD PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS MIDDLE EAST POLICIES AND POSITIONS Section I: Attitude toward the United States 2 Section II: Arab Perspectives on Donald Trump 6 Section III: Arab Assessment of Trump’s Middle East Policy 11 Section IV: Arab Perspective on Trump’s 14 Middle East Policy Priorities Section V: The Issue of Palestine 17. (2017). 

https://arabcenterdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ACW-Survey-Trump-and-the-Arab World-Oct-27-2017-1-3.pdf 

Baba, A., McCammon, S., & Al-Shalch, H. (2025, February 26). Trump’s social media video garners pushback from Arabs and Muslims in U.S. and Gaza. NPR. 

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5309695/trump-gaza-video 

Bawaba, A. (2019). Poll: Trump Disliked in The ME – Arab Barometer. Arabbarometer.org. https://www.arabbarometer.org/media-news/poll-trump-disliked-in-the-me/ 

Blazina, C. (2020, February 3). Few in other countries approve of Trump’s major foreign policies, but Israelis are an exception. Pew Research Center. 

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/02/03/few-in-other-countries-approve-of-t rumps-major-foreign-policies-but-israelis-are-an-exception/ 

Gregorian, D. (2025, February 4). Trump proposes U.S. control of Gaza in move that would permanently displace Palestinians. NBC News. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/donald-trump-israeli-prime-minister-benj amin-netanyahu-meeting-rcna190449 

Hamzawy, A., Leber, A., & Muasher, M. (2025). Trump’s Gaza Comments Aren’t Receiving a Warm Welcome in the Middle East. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/emissary/2025/02/trump-gaza-plan-displacement-egypt-jo rdan-saudi-response?lang=en 

Kelebogile Zvobgo. (2025, February 27). Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza would put Americans at risk of prosecution. Brookings. 

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-proposal-to-take-over-gaza-would-put-americ ans-at-risk-of-prosecution/ 

Kharroub, T. (2020, November 16). The 2019-2020 Arab Opinion Index: Main Results in Brief. Arab Center Washington DC. 

https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-2019-2020-arab-opinion-index-main-results-in-brief / 

Pollock, D., & Rosen, K. (2020). Bahrain Poll Shows Split on Peace with Israel, But Sunni-Shia Divide Is Small. The Washington Institute.

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/bahrain-poll-shows-split-peace-israe l-sunni-shia-divide-small 

Ray, J. (2020, December 17). Biden Inherits a Battered U.S. Image Abroad. Gallup.com; Gallup. https://news.gallup.com/poll/327629/biden-inherits-battered-image-abroad.aspx 

Robbins, M. (2021). The Biden Honeymoon: Changing views of the US across Arab Barometer Wave 6 – Arab Barometer. Arabbarometer.org. 

https://www.arabbarometer.org/2021/06/the-biden-honeymoon-changing-views-of-the-us -across-arab-barometer-wave-6/ 

Wike, R., Poushter, J., & Stefan Cornibert, S. (2020). Trump Ratings Remain Low Around Globe, While Views of U.S. Stay Mostly Favorable Trump foreign policies receive little support FOR MEDIA OR OTHER INQUIRIES. 8, 2020. 

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/PG_2020.01.08 _US-Image_FINAL.pdf 

Yeranian, E. (2025, March 4). Egypt says Arab leaders endorse counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan. Voice of America; Voice of America (VOA News). 

https://www.voanews.com/a/arab-summit-debates-counterproposal-to-trump-gaza-plan/7 997347.html