King Abdullah to Trump: Jordan, Arab world reject displacement of Palestinians in Gaza

Jordan’s King Abdullah II said he emphasized his strong rejection of the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, reiterating that this stance aligns with the unified position of the Arab world.

King Abdullah, the first Arab leader to visit the White House since Trump took office last month, stated, “Everyone’s priority should be the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its people.” He added that achieving a just peace through a two-state solution is crucial for regional stability, and underscored that US leadership is essential in this process. “President Trump is a man of peace,” he said in a post on X.

Trump said the pair had a great meeting.

Before their meeting, Trump had intensified his pressure on Jordan and Egypt, announcing plans for the United States to take control of Gaza and pushing for these countries to absorb some of the Palestinians who would be forcibly displaced. Trump welcomed King Abdullah to the White House, highlighting his intent to advance his vision for Gaza, which he had previously described as becoming the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

“We’re going to take it, we’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish [Gaza],” Trump declared ahead of the meeting. Drawing from his real estate background, the president mentioned that while he would not personally develop Gaza, he believed it could become a “diamond” that would create jobs and prosperity for the Middle East.

King Abdullah responded by emphasizing a united Arab and Muslim position, asserting that Jordan would accept 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, some of whom need cancer treatment. He voiced his belief that Trump could “take us across the finish line” to bring stability, peace and prosperity to the Middle East. “It is… our collective responsibility in the Middle East to continue to work with you, to support you to achieve those wealthy goals,” he said.

King Abdullah said he would not say more on Trump’s proposals until Egypt could provide its opinion. The top Egyptian diplomat met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday at the State Department. Al Arabiya reported that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to Washington set for next week had been postponed until further notice.

Trump’s proposal to have the US control Gaza and displace Palestinians sparked strong condemnation across the Arab world and much of Europe. During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump referred to Gaza as a demolition site and suggested that Palestinians should be relocated to other countries for better living conditions. His repeated suggestions that Jordan and Egypt absorb displaced Palestinians were firmly rejected by the Arab world.

After threatening to withhold US aid from Jordan and Egypt if they did not cooperate, Trump seemed to soften his stance on Tuesday, telling reporters, “I do think we’re above that.”