Trump and Jordanian King discuss Gaza plans
Donald Trump and the Jordanian King Abdullah II met to discuss the US President’s controversial plans for the future of Gaza on 12 February, according to Africa News.
Whilst he refused to make in depth comments about the situation, Jordanian King Abdullah II did state that, “I think one of the things that we can do right away is take 2,000 children that are either have children or are in a very ill state to Jordan as quickly as possible and then wait for, I think, the Egyptians to present that plan on how we can work with the president to work on Gaza challenges.”
According to France 24, Jordan is heavily reliant on US aid, which stands at around $1billion a year making their negotiating position with the US complicated.
Trump’s plans to “have lots of good things built there, including hotels and office buildings and housing and other things” has stirred anger across the Middle East.
It was expected by France 24 that King Abdullah II would state his concerns directly to the President earlier this week.
He has also offered to take 2,000 child refuges immediately.
However, even in the face of opposition, Trump is relluctant to back down.
Despite purporting that he would run an isolationist US foreign policy throughout his campaign, Trump is now wading into a delicate situation with typical indelicacy.
Trump is set on the fact that Arab leaders will take refugees from Gaza and has threatened to remove financial aid should states refuse to cooperate.
The plan to turn Gaza into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ does not only have long term consequences but has short term ones too.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas – which has held in the region for 25 days – appears to be threatened by recent developments.
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa? Enter your email address and name to receive our weekly newsletter.
