King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab leader to enter the White House during President Trump’s second term. From a Jordanian perspective, it was not an easy meeting.
Upon Trump’s entry into office, the administration announced a total freeze on foreign aid, including aid to Jordan (but excluding Israel and Egypt), and amounting to at least $1.45 billion (about 10% of its annual budget) for 90 days, subject to review. Simultaneously, President Trump unveiled his plan to encourage the migration of Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, hinting that he would consider halting aid to both countries if they refused to cooperate.
At a press conference held at the summit, the two leaders avoided confronting each other in front of the cameras. King Abdullah expressed Jordan’s immediate willingness to accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza, clarifying that a more detailed plan for the future of Gaza would be presented after emergency meetings scheduled by Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the end of the month. President Trump praised King Abdullah’s leadership and expressed satisfaction with the kingdom’s willingness to take in sick children but reiterated his intention to push for Palestinian migration to Jordan.
In a statement following the meeting, the king expressed stronger opposition to Trump’s plan, emphasizing that “priority must be given to the rehabilitation of Gaza without displacing Palestinians” and that “the only way to achieve stability in the region is through a just peace based on a two-state solution.”
The resettlement of a large Palestinian population is viewed in Jordan as a threat to the kingdom’s Hashemite national identity and an attempt to solve the Palestinian issue at Jordan’s expense. Therefore, Jordan’s interest lies in removing the issue from the agenda, but to do so as part of a broader Arab, Islamic, and international front while avoiding potential harm to its relations with Washington and continued American aid. In addition, the Jordanian parliament has begun promoting a law that prohibits the expulsion of Palestinians to Jordan, thereby providing public and constitutional support for the palace’s position.
At this stage, Trump is being careful to avoid conflict with Jordan and Egypt. However, growing insistence from both sides is likely to heighten tensions, especially if Egypt and Jordan, backed by other Arab states, continue to strongly oppose the plan.
It should be noted that while US economic leverage does influence Jordan, it is not sufficient to persuade the country to accept a plan that the majority of Jordanians oppose and that it views as a threat to its stability. As demonstrated, among other things, during the night of the Iranian drones, Jordan remains an asset to both the United States and Israel. To preserve the kingdom’s role as a strategic ally to both countries, future Palestinian arrangements should consider Jordan’s needs and avoid financial pressures that could destabilize it
King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab leader to enter the White House during President Trump’s second term. From a Jordanian perspective, it was not an easy meeting.
Upon Trump’s entry into office, the administration announced a total freeze on foreign aid, including aid to Jordan (but excluding Israel and Egypt), and amounting to at least $1.45 billion (about 10% of its annual budget) for 90 days, subject to review. Simultaneously, President Trump unveiled his plan to encourage the migration of Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, hinting that he would consider halting aid to both countries if they refused to cooperate.
At a press conference held at the summit, the two leaders avoided confronting each other in front of the cameras. King Abdullah expressed Jordan’s immediate willingness to accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza, clarifying that a more detailed plan for the future of Gaza would be presented after emergency meetings scheduled by Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the end of the month. President Trump praised King Abdullah’s leadership and expressed satisfaction with the kingdom’s willingness to take in sick children but reiterated his intention to push for Palestinian migration to Jordan.
In a statement following the meeting, the king expressed stronger opposition to Trump’s plan, emphasizing that “priority must be given to the rehabilitation of Gaza without displacing Palestinians” and that “the only way to achieve stability in the region is through a just peace based on a two-state solution.”
The resettlement of a large Palestinian population is viewed in Jordan as a threat to the kingdom’s Hashemite national identity and an attempt to solve the Palestinian issue at Jordan’s expense. Therefore, Jordan’s interest lies in removing the issue from the agenda, but to do so as part of a broader Arab, Islamic, and international front while avoiding potential harm to its relations with Washington and continued American aid. In addition, the Jordanian parliament has begun promoting a law that prohibits the expulsion of Palestinians to Jordan, thereby providing public and constitutional support for the palace’s position.
At this stage, Trump is being careful to avoid conflict with Jordan and Egypt. However, growing insistence from both sides is likely to heighten tensions, especially if Egypt and Jordan, backed by other Arab states, continue to strongly oppose the plan.
It should be noted that while US economic leverage does influence Jordan, it is not sufficient to persuade the country to accept a plan that the majority of Jordanians oppose and that it views as a threat to its stability. As demonstrated, among other things, during the night of the Iranian drones, Jordan remains an asset to both the United States and Israel. To preserve the kingdom’s role as a strategic ally to both countries, future Palestinian arrangements should consider Jordan’s needs and avoid financial pressures that could destabilize it