Trump summit with Jordan King to focus on Gaza, forced displacement of Palestinians: Experts

Experts say the meeting between Jordan’s King Abdullah and US President Donald Trump in Washington will centre on developments in Gaza and the US plan to relocate Palestinians, Anadolu Agency reports.

Trump’s first meeting with an Arab leader since taking office last month will take place in the shadow of the US President’s proposal to “take over” Gaza and forcibly remove Palestinians to other countries in the region, including Jordan and Egypt.

But Amman and Cairo, along with other Arab nations and international organisations, have firmly rejected the plan. Following Trump’s statements, King Abdullah contacted Arab and Western leaders, reaffirming Jordan’s opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians and advocating for their right to remain in their homeland.

He has described the plan as a “dangerous” initiative that threatens both Jordan’s security and regional stability. Jordanian civil society organisations have also mobilised against the proposal, organising nationwide protests on 7 February.

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Trump’s proposal, notably, has been welcomed by Israel. The country is currently engaged in a ceasefire in Gaza after waging a 15-month onslaught against the Palestinian enclave, where the casualty count is nearly 160,000.

Uncertainty remains over how Trump intends to proceed, as his plan closely aligns with Israeli policies.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has called it “revolutionary and creative”, saying a solution must be found for the Palestinians. Analysts suggest Netanyahu may attempt to break the ceasefire and intensify attacks on Gaza to advance this goal.

Jordan views the plan as a serious threat to its security and fears the demographic consequences it could trigger. Abdullah is expected to reiterate Jordan’s firm opposition during his meeting with Trump.

Meanwhile, the US leader’s proposal to “take over” and “rebuild” Gaza could escalate international tensions. Given the region’s volatile situation, the summit has taken on added significance.

Gaza and forced displacement of Palestinians

Bader Al-Madi, a political scientist at the German-Jordanian University, warns of the risks involved in the meeting.

Highlighting Jordan’s deep-rooted ties with the US, Al-Madi said: “Trump will be engaging with the leader of a country with a historic diplomatic and political legacy. This will make the content and outcome of the meeting distinct from Trump’s recent remarks on Gaza and forced displacement.”

Speaking to Anadolu, he said the key issue would be Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, predicting that Trump will push for concessions while presenting alternative proposals.

Abdullah is expected to firmly convey Jordan’s and the broader Arab world’s rejection of forced displacement. The discussion may introduce new perspectives or seek assurances that Palestinians will remain in Gaza.

Al-Madi noted that practical solutions could emerge, but the outcome also depends on Israel’s stance and its commitment to regional stability.

He added that Abdullah would emphasize Palestinians’ legitimate rights and the demographic impact on Jordan and the wider region. The King is attending the summit with backing from key Arab nations such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as regional powers like Turkiye.

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“Moreover, the cautious stance within the US itself and the international community’s outright rejection of Trump’s statements will also shape the discussions,” he said.

US aid under discussion

Al-Madi said the meeting would also address the suspension of US aid to several countries, including Jordan, emphasizing that these funds are vital for regional security and stability.

If forced to choose between US aid and opposing the forced displacement of Palestinians, Abdullah would prioritise rejecting displacement, even at the cost of losing financial support, he said.

The US, Jordan’s key ally, signed a Memorandum in 2022 pledging $1.45 billion in annual aid to Jordan from 2023 to 2029. However, Trump halted all foreign aid for 90 days at the end of January for a review process.

Regional stability

Political analyst and writer, Rawan S. Al-Hiyari, highlights the timing of the summit, calling it a “sensitive political period, with overlapping geopolitical crises and increasing security and economic challenges.”

She said Abdullah’s deep understanding of US decision-making and strategic political and military experience has shaped his approach to the meeting.

“The King has prepared an agenda aligned with the region’s geopolitical and geo-economic realities,” she told Anadolu.

She expects Abdullah to emphasize the “stability equation” in the region and advocate for “fair and sustainable solutions” rather than policies that could escalate tensions.

According to Al-Hiyari, Abdullah is well-positioned to “accurately diagnose the nature of conflicts in the Middle East and propose the most rooted and sustainable solutions aligned with the region’s realities.”

Palestine, Gaza top priorities

Al-Hiyari predicts that Abdullah will emphasize the need to preserve the two-state solution as the ideal path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

She also expects him to warn against short-term solutions, arguing that they could fuel further instability and create conditions that extremist groups might exploit.

Additionally, Abdullah is likely to stress the importance of adhering to the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty and the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty.

Al-Hiyari suggested that Syria might also be on the agenda, with discussions likely focusing on political resolution, preventing foreign influence over parts of the country and ensuring the voluntary return of refugees.

She anticipates talks on Jordan-US strategic cooperation, particularly regarding economic aid and military partnership.

However, “the issue of Gaza, as part of the Palestinian cause, will be among the top priorities,” she said.

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