Trump is slowly making progress and liberals said it would never happen.
In a meeting with President Donald Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed his strong opposition to Trump’s plan for resettling Palestinians out of Gaza, a proposal that has raised significant concern in the region. King Abdullah emphasized that his primary responsibility lies with the stability and well-being of his people in Jordan. He made it clear that Jordan, along with other Arab nations, remains firmly against the displacement of Palestinians, both in Gaza and the West Bank.
The king offered a more limited concession, agreeing to accept a small number of Palestinian children from Gaza who are critically ill, such as those suffering from cancer. However, he strongly rejected any large-scale relocation of Palestinian families, an idea that Trump had proposed as a potential solution to the ongoing conflict.
Trump, on the other hand, appeared optimistic about his plan and expressed confidence that a resolution could be reached with Egypt and other regional partners. He painted his vision for Gaza as a fresh start, envisioning a thriving territory with new infrastructure and job opportunities. Trump’s ultimate goal, he stated, is to bring lasting peace to the Middle East, albeit through controversial means, which included the relocation of Gaza’s residents. His remarks about “building a nice place” for Palestinians to live were coupled with his belief that many in Gaza would welcome the opportunity to leave if they had somewhere else to go.
Despite these claims, King Abdullah made it clear that any solution must consider the interests of the United States and regional stability, and he stressed that Jordan cannot shoulder more refugees after already hosting millions, including many Palestinian refugees. The king also stated that he would not make any final decisions until Egypt had weighed in on the matter.
The debate over Trump’s plan has intensified regional tensions. The king’s statement further highlighted the divide, emphasizing that the priority should be rebuilding Gaza without displacing its people. He reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution as the best path toward ensuring peace and stability in the region.
This meeting reflects the stark differences between Trump’s ambitious ideas for reshaping Gaza and the deeply entrenched concerns of his Arab allies, who are reluctant to bear the responsibility for large-scale refugee resettlement. As the situation continues to evolve, the United States faces significant challenges in aligning its Middle East strategy with the interests of its regional partners, including Jordan and Egypt.