Tension Mounts Ahead of Trump-Meet King Abdullah II Over Gaza Takeover Plan
Meetings and Reactions
Washington: Jordan’s King Abdullah II faces a tense meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday as he leads opposition from Arab nations to the US president’s controversial Gaza takeover plan.
The talks come a day after Trump said he could "conceivably" halt billions of dollars in US aid to both Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to take in Palestinians that he says should be moved out from their homeland.
Abdullah and Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein will meet Trump in the Oval Office before having lunch, the White House said. Both meetings will be behind closed doors.
The pair also met Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Tuesday, the Jordanian royal court said on X.
Aid Pressure
Trump doubled down on the pressure on the eve of his meeting with Abdullah, threatening US assistance to Jordan and Egypt if they continue to oppose the plan.
"Maybe," Trump told reporters on Monday when asked if he would suspend aid if the two countries did not take in the Palestinians. "If they don’t agree, I would conceivably withhold it."
Trump made clear in an interview with Fox News channel’s Bret Baier broadcast Monday that Palestinians would have no right of return to Gaza after leaving.
International Backlash
His plan has sparked a global backlash and Arab countries have condemned the proposal, insisting on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is expected to visit the White House later this week, urged on Tuesday the reconstruction of Gaza "without displacing Palestinians."
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday. The Egyptian foreign ministry later issued a statement rejecting "any compromise" on Palestinians’ rights.
Jordan’s Concerns
Analysts say the issue is an existential one for Jordan in particular.
Half of Jordan’s population of 11 million is of Palestinian origin, and since the establishment of Israel in 1948, many Palestinians have sought refuge there.
In 1970, in what became known as "Black September," clashes erupted between the Jordanian army and Palestinian groups led by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
It resulted in the expulsion of those groups.
But Jordan is also keenly aware of the economic pressure Trump could exercise. Every year, Jordan receives around $750 million in economic assistance from Washington and another $350 million in military aid.
Conclusion
The tensions surrounding the meeting between Trump and King Abdullah II highlight the high stakes involved in the US president’s Gaza takeover plan. While Trump has touted the plan as a way to rebuild Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East," Arab countries and many experts have expressed serious concerns about its implications for Palestinians and the regional stability.
As the meeting between Trump and Abdullah II approaches, it remains to be seen whether the US president will be able to persuade his Arab allies to support his plan, or if the opposition to it will ultimately prevail.
FAQs
Q: What is the Gaza takeover plan?
A: The plan, announced by Trump, involves the US taking control of Gaza and resettling Palestinians in other countries, with no right of return.
Q: Who is opposed to the plan?
A: Arab countries, including Jordan and Egypt, have condemned the plan and insisted on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Q: What are the implications of the plan for Jordan?
A: Jordan has a significant population of Palestinian origin, and many Palestinians have sought refuge there. The plan’s implications for Palestinians and the regional stability are major concerns for the country.
Q: What are the economic stakes involved?
A: Jordan receives around $750 million in economic assistance from Washington and another $350 million in military aid annually. The potential loss of aid could have significant economic implications for the country.