Trump meets with Jordan’s king amid tense talks about resettling Palestinians
President Donald Trump welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, amidst heated discussions between the U.S. and Arab nations regarding the relocation of Palestinian refugees to Jordan and neighboring Arab countries to rebuild Gaza.
In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4, Trump revealed plans for the U.S. to “take over” the Gaza Strip in a “long-term ownership position” in order to bring stability to the region. This announcement sparked immediate backlash from Arab nations, with Jordan and Egypt planning to convene an emergency Arab Summit on February 27 to address the “new and dangerous developments” surrounding the resettlement of Palestinians.
Despite the opposition, Trump remained steadfast in his plans during an interview with Fox News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier, stating that he believed King Abdullah would ultimately agree to accept Palestinian refugees. Trump also warned that withholding aid to Jordan was a possibility if they refused to comply with his proposal, as the U.S. provided nearly $1.7 billion in foreign aid to Jordan in fiscal year 2023.
During his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision to transform Gaza into the “riviera of the Middle East.” He expressed intentions to take responsibility for clearing the area of dangerous weapons and debris, creating economic opportunities, and providing housing and jobs to the local population. Trump emphasized that all Palestinians would be temporarily removed from Gaza during the rebuilding process, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifying that their removal would be temporary.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill had mixed reactions to Trump’s proposal, with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., describing it as “insane,” while Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., appeared unfazed and supportive of the President’s efforts to bring peace and security to the Middle East.
In conclusion, President Trump’s plans for Gaza have sparked controversy and debate both domestically and internationally. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what actions will be taken by the U.S. and other involved parties.
This article was written by Diana Stancy, a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
