President Trump's proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip while other nations accept the Palestinians residing there has been met with resistance from King Abdullah II of Jordan. During a meeting at the White House, the king expressed that such a deal is not feasible for Jordan and emphasized the importance of the U.S. president in achieving peace in the Middle East. He also committed to hosting more Palestinians in need of medical assistance, which seemed to influence Trump to retract previous threats regarding aid to Jordan.
The proposal, which remains vague, surprised even Trump's advisers. It appears to depend on Jordan and Egypt accommodating a significant influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has claimed that the approximately 2 million residents of Gaza would be eager to leave and not wish to return, although he has also suggested they could be forcibly removed, which would contravene international law and undermine the aspirations for a Palestinian state that includes both Gaza and the West Bank.
King Abdullah's concerns are rooted in the historical context of Palestinian migration to Jordan, which has previously led to conflict. Accepting a large number of Gazans could exacerbate existing demographic tensions within Jordan, where a significant portion of the population has Palestinian roots. The monarch faces the challenge of balancing national interests while also supporting the Palestinian cause and preventing unrest among his citizens.
Jordan's relationship with Palestinians has been fraught with complexity since the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, which resulted in a substantial influx of refugees into the country. Jordan annexed the West Bank but later relinquished its claim, creating a situation where a considerable number of Palestinians reside without full citizenship rights. Tensions escalated during events like the 1970 Black September conflict, which resulted in violent clashes between the Jordanian military and Palestinian armed groups.
King Abdullah's legitimacy is also tied to his family's historical advocacy for Palestinian statehood. Any perceived move against their interests could jeopardize his authority. The royal family's ties to the Palestinian people have been complicated by historical grievances, including the assassination of King Abdullah I by a Palestinian in 1951 due to perceived betrayals related to negotiations with Israel.