Samih Maaitah

It is certain that Jordan is making every effort to thwart any plan of displacement from Gaza, as such a thing would be disastrous for the region and for the Palestinians and their cause.

Jordan has a vision it is trying to promote in managing the Palestinian issue as a whole, with its essence being a political solution that grants the Palestinian people their legitimate rights on their land.

However, the comprehensive view of the whole issue suggests an organised Arab effort and a firm international position is required, because displacement does not simply mean relocating the people of Gaza but it would invalidate any peace process or treaties between the concerned Arab states and Israel.

It also means that what Trump is aiming for with the Saudi-Israeli agreement will not be possible under the displacement scheme — a position that has recently been demonstrated by a strong Saudi response to Netanyahu and his right-wing government.

His Majesty King Abdullah will meet Trump in Washington, presenting a clear Jordanian stance against the idea of displacement, as well as a Jordanian and a collective Arab stance for dealing with Gaza and the West Bank politically, within the context of a peace project, and not the cleansing of Gaza from its people.

The King understands the equation of Jordan and the region and has strongly opposed displacement since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza when the occupation spoke of displacing Gaza’s residents to Egypt.

Gaza, its people, and Egypt are directly targeted by this project, and also the Palestinian cause.

Therefore, the Jordanian approach is focused on pushing towards a Palestinian-Israeli negotiation process, under American sponsorship, leading to a final solution to the Palestinian issue.

Jordan understands America’s role in the region and is keen to maintain strong relations with the United States.

The relationship with Washington is part of Jordan’s regional and international equation.

This relationship encompasses various paths, such as combating extremism and terrorism, regional security, and other strategic areas for both sides.

What the King will push for is a path that maintains the security and stability of the region with a peace project, far from the displacement plan, which would take the region into further instability.

There would be no relations, peace, or justification for agreements between Israel and important Arab countries in the region.

In his meeting with Trump, the King will try to refocus American priorities in the region on a path that ensures stability and averts the region insecurity and other unpleasant scenarios.

Despite Israel’s aggression and its disregard for the idea of peace, it realises that none of this will bring security or stability.

The King’s logic in all his discussions around the world is that true peace, which grants the Palestinians their rights, is the only guarantee to Israel’s security.

The mentality of fortress and military aggression will not achieve security or safety for Israel.

The battle to thwart the displacement plan is a Palestinian and Arab one, and Jordan’s strong and sincere effort is at its heart.

Therefore, strengthening Arab and Palestinian stance is essential to confront the scheme and promote the Arab alternative, which is a just political solution for the long-running conflict.