US President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of relocating some residents from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, igniting fears that Washington might pursue policies to displace Palestinians outside of their homeland.
The idea of forcibly resettling Gazans, who have endured decades of occupation and displacement, has been slammed as politically unacceptable and a fundamental challenge to the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security.
How is Jordan responding to the plans?
Jordanian political figures, including government spokesperson Mohammed Al-Momani, have rejected Trump’s plans and reiterated that Palestinians should remain on their land.
Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi claimed that the Palestinian issue must be resolved in Palestine, not by displacing Palestinians to Jordan. Safadi insisted that the solution lies within Palestine’s borders, a position echoed by other prominent figures like former Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh.
Political leaders have also warned that any attempt to relocate Palestinians would be tantamount to a declaration of war. Faisal Al-Fayez, the President of the Jordanian Council of Elders, insisted that Jordan will not abandon its national constants.
To confront the pressure from the US administration, voices within Jordanian civil society have called for stronger actions. Yanal Farihat, a representative of the Islamic Movement, argued that Jordan should go beyond verbal denunciations and take concrete measures, including reconsidering the Wadi Araba peace agreement with Israel.
The 1994 treaty between Amman and Tel Aviv, guaranteed the restoration of Jordan’s occupied land and defined its western borders clearly and conclusively for the first time, putting an end to four decades of conflict.
In response to the White House’s plans, former MP Nabil Ghishan proposed a formal resolution from Jordan’s National Assembly that would firmly reject the resettlement of Gazans in Jordan. His suggestion is that Jordan should not cave to American pressures and instead align its actions with its long-standing strategy of supporting a two-state solution.
What are the consequences for Jordan if it resists?
According to Dr Khaled Shenikat, President of the Jordanian Political Science Association, the US administration may respond with escalating measures, including cutting financial aid or limiting Jordan’s diplomatic ties with Western countries.
“If Jordan refuses, the US administration will exert all kinds of pressure and may begin by reviewing aid, restricting Jordanians’ access to the United States, especially at the official level, and perhaps cutting off relations, not only with Jordan but also with Egypt,” he told The New Arab’s Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Shenikat warned that Jordan must brace for potential fallout, including the risk of having to confront not only US pressure but also the broader implications of a shifting Palestinian cause that could redefine the political landscape in the region.
The foreign policy expert claimed that the US administration is pushing aggressively for this policy. Trump previous disregard for international opinion—including his controversial decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem—sparks concerns that Washington will apply significant pressure on Jordan to comply.
While Jordan has long maintained its rejection of Palestinian displacement, the economic and diplomatic ramifications of resisting American demands could be severe, especially with the potential for cuts to US aid or restrictions on diplomatic relations, the expert warned.
Jordanians have shown solidarity with Gaza in multiple occasions, with widespread protests in support of Palestinians throughout the Kingdom.
