During the joint press conference held at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Jordanian King Abdullah II, a direct question was posed to the Jordanian king regarding the possibility of resettling Palestinians in Jordan as part of Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip.

Response of King Abdullah II

In a strong diplomatic reply, King Abdullah affirmed:

“I must do what is in the interest of my country.”

This concise sentence carried a clear rejection of the idea of resettling Palestinians in Jordan, without entering into a direct confrontation with Trump. The response reflected Jordan's commitment to its national sovereignty and its refusal of any solutions that could affect its demographic makeup or national security.

Political Context

• Jordan's repeated rejection of displacement plans: Jordan has always affirmed its position against any projects aimed at resettling Palestinians outside their homeland, considering that the only solution is the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied in 1967.

• Previous U.S. pressures: King Abdullah's statements come amid increasing U.S. pressure on Arab countries, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to play a role in receiving Palestinians as part of rearranging the situation in Gaza after the war.

What do the king's statements mean?

• A political message to both domestic and international audiences: The king emphasized that Jordan will not be a party to any plan that imposes the resettlement of Palestinians on it, which is a clear message to the U.S. administration and the international community.

• Affirmation of Jordanian sovereignty: By his implicit rejection, King Abdullah stressed that Jordan is not a party to projects that may harm its stability, and will not accept any pressures to implement this plan.

• Rejection of infringing on the right of return: Any scheme to resettle Palestinians in Jordan could be interpreted as an annulment of the right of return, which Amman strongly rejects and considers a violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Reactions to the statements

• Broad Palestinian rejection: Palestinian factions see any attempt to resettle refugees outside Palestine as serving Israel’s interests, seeking to end the refugee issue without a just solution.

• Domestic relief in Jordan: King Abdullah's statements were met with great relief within Jordan, where Jordanians feel that any plan to displace Palestinians to Jordan could lead to unacceptable demographic changes.

• American and Israeli disappointment: The Trump administration hoped for greater flexibility from Arab countries regarding Gaza’s future, but the king's statements confirmed that Jordan's position is firm and will not change.

Conclusion

King Abdullah's statements in Washington were not merely a response to a passing question, but a strategic political stance asserting that Jordan will not be a part of any solutions at the expense of Palestinian rights or its internal stability.

As diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in Gaza continue, Arab positions rejecting Trump's plan remain a stumbling block to attempts to impose solutions that do not align with the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.