Both Jordan and Egypt, the closest Muslim countries to Gaza, have said they will not accept Palestinian refugees. Some progressive officials in the United States have supported taking in refugees, whereas other conservatives have spoken against it.

Former President Donald Trump said that the U.S. should not accept Gazan refugees. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed, asserting that while not all Gaza residents are Hamas members, they “are all anti-Semitic.”

Alternatively, several prominent Democrats have voiced their support for measures that would aid civilians in Gaza. Rep. Jamaal Bowman told the New York Post that the United States “should be prepared to welcome refugees from Palestine." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told CNN that while surrounding nations are better equipped to assist them, the U.S. could acknowledge its “historic role” by accepting refugees.

Devastation in Gaza

In his announcement, Yousaf acknowledged that Scotland would be the first nation not just in the United Kingdom to accept Gazan refugees, but the first in the world to open their doors. He expressed hope that the country would pave the way for other world powers.