Donald Trump on Tuesday urged King Abdullah of Jordan to accept Palestinians who would be permanently displaced under his proposal for the U.S. to assume control of the Gaza Strip, despite the king’s firm opposition to the plan.
During a joint appearance with the Jordanian monarch at the White House, Trump maintained his stance on relocating the residents of Gaza and envisioned transforming the war-torn area into what he described as a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump’s remarks have sparked outrage across the Arab world, particularly his assertion that Palestinians would not be allowed to return to their homes as part of his redevelopment strategy for the enclave, which has suffered extensive damage from an Israeli military campaign. “We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it. We’re going to get it going eventually, where a lot of jobs are going to be created for the people in the Middle East,” Trump stated in the Oval Office, claiming his plan would “bring peace” to the region.
In response, King Abdullah emphasized that he reiterated Jordan’s “steadfast position” against the displacement of Palestinians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. “This is the unified Arab position,” he remarked in a post on X. “Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all.”
Despite King Abdullah’s stance, Trump expressed confidence that both Jordan and Egypt would ultimately agree to accommodate displaced Gazans, noting that both nations depend on U.S. economic and military assistance.
Trump expressed confidence about acquiring land in both Jordan and Egypt, stating, “I believe we’ll secure a parcel of land in Jordan and one in Egypt. There may be additional locations, but I am optimistic that our discussions will lead to a place where people can live happily and safely.”
U.S. AID UNDER DISCUSSION
While Trump has hinted at the possibility of reconsidering aid to Jordan, he clarified that he does not intend to use this support as leverage. “We provide substantial financial assistance to both Jordan and Egypt. However, I don’t feel the need to issue threats; we are beyond that,” he remarked.
King Abdullah has previously voiced his opposition to any plans that would involve annexing land or displacing Palestinians. He was the first Arab leader to engage with Trump following the announcement of the Gaza plan. Although their meeting was amicable, Trump’s remarks regarding Gaza placed King Abdullah in a delicate situation, particularly given the sensitivities surrounding the Palestinian right of return to lands abandoned during the 1948 conflict that led to Israel’s establishment.
At one point, Trump seemed to encourage King Abdullah to agree to accept Palestinians from Gaza. The king responded that he would prioritize his nation’s interests but mentioned that Jordan would accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza for medical treatment, a gesture that Trump commended.
Trump indicated that Arab nations would present a counterproposal in Washington. “The objective is to find a solution that benefits everyone,” he stated, appearing uneasy while neither fully endorsing nor opposing Trump’s initiative. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi later informed state-owned al-Mamlaka TV about an Egyptian-led Arab initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza without displacing its residents.
Jordanian officials expressed their desire to avoid a public setting during the discussions, fearing that Trump might put the king in a difficult position. The comments made in the Oval Office were not prearranged. The meeting included reporters and featured the king’s son, Crown Prince Hussein, as well as Safadi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials. Subsequently, the king engaged with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Republican majority leader John Thune.
Situated between Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and the occupied West Bank, Jordan is home to over 2 million Palestinian refugees within its 11 million population, a situation that has long caused concern for the nation’s leadership. Additionally, Amman is grappling with the implications of Trump’s 90-day aid suspension. While Israel and Egypt received waivers, Jordan’s annual aid of $1.45 billion remains on hold as the Trump administration reviews all foreign assistance.
COMPLICATED CEASEFIRE
Trump’s proposal has added layers of complexity to an already delicate regional situation, particularly concerning a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. On Monday, Hamas announced it would cease the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza until further notice, citing Israel’s violations of the agreement meant to halt strikes on Gaza. Trump later suggested that the ceasefire could be revoked if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages taken on October 7, 2023, by Saturday.
On Tuesday, Trump stated that “all bets are off” if Hamas does not comply with the deadline, expressing skepticism about the group’s willingness to do so. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from February 7-9 revealed that 74% of Americans opposed the notion of the U.S. taking control of Gaza and displacing its Palestinian residents. The poll indicated a division among Republicans, with 55% opposing the idea and 43% in support.
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