Dr. Asmahan Majed Al-Taher

After attending the press conference about His Majesty King Abdullah II's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip, it became necessary to read between the lines of the statements and positions, especially since King Abdullah II was the first Arab leader to meet President Trump after he assumed the presidency.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Donald Trump repeated his suggestion that the United States take control of Gaza, turning it into the "Riviera of the Middle East" and relocating Gaza's residents to Jordan and Egypt to stimulate the region economically.

King Abdullah II had previously expressed his strong opposition to this plan, emphasizing Jordan’s firm position against the displacement of Palestinians.

During the meeting, King Abdullah II stated that rebuilding Gaza without displacing its residents and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be a priority.

In his meeting with Trump, the King demonstrated his diplomatic skills by listening attentively and calmly. He did not make statements recklessly, showcasing the political savvy that defines the leader of the country.

In response to Trump's proposal, King Abdullah II made an offer to house 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, including those who are ill or suffering from cancer. This humanitarian offer was deeply meaningful and was described by President Trump as "beautiful."

In my personal opinion, the humanitarian offer carried political diplomacy, stating no to displacement, with priority given to focusing on children, providing healthcare, and addressing urgent needs—areas that should be the main focus.

King Abdullah II stressed that the complexities of meeting humanitarian and health needs should be the foundation, and later, the political realities in the Arab region should be discussed among Arabs. This contained important messages that need to be understood: politics is a serious matter, not about throwing words and stances, but requires patience and caution to find appropriate solutions, ultimately leading to just peace.

Naturally, no one can decide the fate of the Palestinian people except themselves, and this is one of the basic rights of the people of Gaza.

It became clear that Trump was eager to extract statements from King Abdullah II, but the astuteness of King Abdullah II, son of Hussein, was evident. Trump could not get more than what the King was willing to declare within the boundaries of official protocols. King Abdullah II emphasized that the priority is the interests of his country and people.

Let us emphasize here that Donald Trump failed to secure the approval he wanted regarding the proposal for forced displacement. There, in Gaza, live the rightful inhabitants of Gaza, who have endured all previous suffering and will not accept being displaced or deported. They have suffered for their homeland.

In Jordan, the land of goodness, despite all the external attempts and poison injected into the situation, the Jordanian people stood united with the Hashemite leader against forced displacement, for the dignity of God, and for the neighbours of spirit Palestine.

During the meeting, King Abdullah II maintained a calm diplomatic demeanor, which is needed in such high-level meetings. In his meeting with Trump, as with other world leaders, His Majesty always focuses on discussing regional security issues, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Jordan’s role in the Middle East peace process.

King Abdullah II is distinguished by his international diplomatic experience, which enabled him to stay calm and cautious in every statement made during the meeting.

There were moments when the contradictions in handling international affairs became noticeable. King Abdullah II is known for his cautious and strategic approach, while Trump often employs different methods as an unconventional president.

The meeting between the Jordanian King and the U.S. president took place under high-risk political circumstances, which will lead to much strategic and political thinking in the coming days.

Finally, King Abdullah II has deep support from his Jordanian people, who loudly proclaim, 'We are with you, son of kings.' May God protect Jordan, its land, leadership, and people."
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