Jordan’s King Abdullah II will be visiting the U.S. on February 11. This will be the first official visit by an Arab country head to Washington during US President Donald Trump’s second period.
The Arab leader’s journey to the US comes amid intensified regional tensions, especially over Trump’s proposal to resettle Gazans in Jordan. A statement the king has firmly denied as a “red line” since the Israel-Hamas war started in October 2023.
According to experts, there are many causes Jordan and its people would resist Trump’s proposal. One regard carried by many groups is that such a relocation would essentially symbolize the demise of the Palestinian cause. Ex-Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said that Jordan’s firm opposition to receiving Gazans is not “an economic or security issue” but “an identity issue.”
A parallel concern was reflected by tribal head Sheikh Trad al-Fayez, who voiced fear that Trump’s plan would force Jordan toward evolving into a Palestinian state. Therefore, on February 7, Jordanian tribal chiefs and pro-monarchy political parties demonstrated in Amman against Trump’s proposal.
Moreover, the Jordanian parliament raised a resolution to restrict the resettlement of Palestinians in Jordan. The draft regulation“reaffirms Jordan’s official and popular rejection of any plan to displace Palestinians to Jordan as an alternative homeland. Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.”
King Abdullah, during his meeting with Trump, will likely warn him that his resettlement proposal will inject instability in the Middle East, threaten Jordan’s peace with Israel, and even endanger Jordan’s stability.
Israel, which surrounds its longest boundary with the Jordan, should be worried that Trump’s proposal could destabilize the Kingdom. Since October 2023, Jordan has noticed an upsurge in demonstrations against Israel’s fighting in Gaza and backing of Hamas. Such backing has been expressed mainly by Jordanians of Palestinian descent.
An inflow of Palestinians empathetic to Hamas could additionally enrage tensions, particularly amid demonstrations pushing for the repeal of the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace accord and calls from Hamas encouraging the people to carry arms against Israel.
The two heads are expected to examine the resettlement case, but that isn’t the sole issue likely to be on the schedule. One other issue is the security cooperation between Israel and Jordan in opposing Iran’s regional initiatives.
US foreign aid to Jordan is also likely to be discussed. Trump could likely manipulate Jordan’s foreign aid as an influence to impact its perspective on the Gazan resettlement issue. During Trump’s first period, some constituents of his government were forced to decline foreign aid.
The upcoming gathering is critical for Abdullah and Trump to convey their requests and considerations. Despite potential difficulties and uncertainties in the backdrop to the visit, Abdullah will persist in prioritizing Jordan’s strong connection with the United States, acknowledging the significance of this collaboration for the kingdom’s stability.
