Jakarta – US President Donald Trump held a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians and rebuild Gaza under US control was firmly rejected by the Jordanian King.
King Abdullah II strongly opposed Trump’s idea, stating that Jordan and Arab countries have a firm stance against the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.
“I reaffirm Jordan’s firm position against the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. This is a unified Arab stance,” King Abdullah II declared in a statement via social media after his discussions with Trump, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (Feb 12, 2025).
The meeting between Trump and King Abdullah II took place at the White House on Tuesday (Feb 11) local time. King Abdullah believes that the current priority is to rebuild Gaza and care for the suffering population affected by Israeli attacks.
“Rebuilding Gaza without displacing Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation must be a priority for all parties,” said King Abdullah II.
He also told Trump that Egypt is formulating a plan on how Middle Eastern countries can work with the US regarding this unexpected proposal. He stated that Egypt and Arab countries have their own plans for the future of Gaza and Palestine.
US Urged to Wait for Arab Nations’ Response
King Abdullah urged the US to be patient, stating that Egypt will provide a response, which Arab nations will discuss at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He mentioned that Arab countries would deliberate with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Let’s wait until Egypt can come forward and present this to the president—there’s no need to rush,” he said.
King Abdullah seems to have persuaded Trump during their talks at the White House. He described Gaza’s dire condition and the urgent need to help Palestinian children suffering from cancer.
“One of the immediate things we can do is provide treatment for 2,000 critically ill children with cancer. This is something possible,” King Abdullah II said as Trump welcomed him and Crown Prince Hussein in the Oval Office.
Trump responded positively, calling it “a very beautiful initiative” and admitting that he was unaware of it before King Abdullah’s visit.
In front of King Abdullah II, Trump retracted his previous threat to cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused to take in displaced Gazans.
“I don’t need to make such threats. I believe we are better than that,” Trump said.
Trump’s Plan to Take Over Gaza Faces Widespread Rejection
Trump shocked the world by proposing that the US “take over” Gaza and even suggesting “ownership” over the territory. He envisioned the US economically rebuilding the war-torn region.
He reiterated this idea during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Sunday (Feb 9).
Previously, Trump declared that the US would take control of Gaza and develop it economically after relocating Palestinians to other areas on Saturday (Jan 25) and Monday (Jan 27).
Trump proposed a “long-term ownership” of Gaza by the US, saying that Washington would flatten the area, clear all destroyed buildings, and create economic opportunities along with thousands of jobs.
“Gaza will be handed over to the United States by Israel at the end of the conflict,” Trump stated in his latest post on Truth Social, as reported by Al Arabiya on Friday (Feb 7).
