Diplomatic Masterclass From Jordan's King

On February 11, King Abdullah II bin al-Hussien of Jordan became the first Arab leader to meet with President Donald Trump since his inauguration on January 20, marking the fourth consecutive time he has been the first Arab head of state invited to the White House by a newly-elected U.S. president. Traditionally, such high-level meetings focus on bilateral interests and regional security. However, this time, President Trump’s controversial stance on Gaza dominated the agenda.

Just a week earlier, on February 4, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood alongside President Trump at the White House as the U.S. president unveiled his vision for the Gaza Strip. President Trump’s remarks — suggesting that Gaza was “a demolition site” that “the U.S. would own” and could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East” — sent shockwaves through the region. For many, particularly King Abdullah II, this raised the alarm that such a vision could lead to disastrous consequences, including the potential forced displacement of Gaza’s Palestinian population into Jordan.

During the subsequent Oval Office press conference, King Abdullah II skillfully navigated the moment. An astute diplomat, the Jordanian monarch understood the stakes. Washington had just suspended $1.7 billion in U.S. foreign aid to Jordan pending review. While he could not afford to alienate the U.S. president, he also can not sideline his own people by appearing to give in to a plan that is deemed as an existential threat to the kingdom.

In response, the 63-year-old Hashemite king deftly shifted the conversation, emphasizing that an Arab meeting would convene in Riyadh — at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud — to discuss the matter. An emergency Arab League summit in Cairo is also set to be held on March 4. Furthermore, recognizing that Gaza has historically been within Egypt’s sphere of influence, he affirmed that any resolution must involve Cairo’s leadership. The king then dazzled the 78-year-old president when he stated that Jordan would take in 2,000 sick children from Gaza as a start. 

Remarkably, King Abdullah’s diplomatic approach yielded immediate results and will continue to do so. President Trump has already distanced himself from the idea of forcibly displacing over two million Gazans. Reports indicate that the U.S. administration is now backing Egypt’s proposed plan, the details of which are expected to emerge at the Riyadh summit that convenes today. 

Beyond the White House, King Abdullah leveraged his long-standing relationships in Congress to push back against the proposal. Over the past 25 years, he has cultivated strong bipartisan ties on Capitol Hill, a strategy that paid dividends as lawmakers voiced their opposition to President Trump’s plan. Notably, both Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal publicly rejected the initiative at a press conference in Israel, with Blumenthal stating that he expects that the Arab states are to put forward a viable alternative. Their statements came during a congressional delegation visit to the Middle East, including Jordan and Israel, further reinforcing Abdullah’s influence in shaping U.S. policy.

The king’s diplomatic efforts also had a profound regional impact. Even staunch U.S. allies such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia — both of whom have maintained close ties with President Trump during his first administration — publicly opposed the displacement plan. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan explicitly stated the Gulf country’s firm position against any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land. Similarly, Saudi Arabia issued a strong statement emphasizing that establishing a Palestinian state is a firm, unwavering position, effectively rebuffing President Trump’s proposal.

At home, King Abdullah’s stance has earned him overwhelming public support. Upon his and Crown Prince Hussein’s return to Jordan, thousands of Jordanians lined the streets in a spontaneous display of national unity, heeding both official and grassroots calls to welcome their king. This outpouring of support reflected the deep appreciation for his steadfast defense of Jordan’s national interests — particularly regarding the Palestinian cause.

During a February 18 meeting with retired Jordanian military personnel, whom he regards as his “brothers in arms,” King Abdullah reaffirmed his long-standing position: Jordan will not serve as an alternative homeland for Palestinians. He reiterated the kingdom’s “Three No’s”: No to the displacement of Palestinians. No to Palestinian settlement in Jordan. No to Jordan becoming an alternative Palestinian state.

The strategic importance of Jordan to the United States cannot be overstated. The 2021 U.S.-Jordan Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) exemplifies Washington’s recognition of Amman as a critical regional ally, facilitating military collaboration and counterterrorism efforts. Undermining Jordan’s stability by entertaining policies that advocate Palestinian displacement into its territory could have severe consequences, including the destabilization of a key U.S. Major non-NATO Ally and broader regional upheaval. This is particularly true given that, despite fierce domestic opposition, Jordan intercepted Iranian projectiles targeting Israel in both April and October 2024, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to regional security.

King Abdullah II has consistently proven himself a reliable and indispensable ally of the United States. His diplomatic agility in securing congressional backing for an Arab-led peace framework, his military leadership in countering Iranian threats, and his steadfast commitment to stability make him one of Washington’s most valuable partners in the Middle East.

Abdullah Hayek is a contributor with Young Voices who currently serves as an independent Middle East analyst and consultant based in Washington, D.C. He recently specialized in the political, economic, and military affairs of the Levant, Iraq, and Arabian Gulf regions at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Follow him on X: @ahayek99