WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Trump doubles down that the US will take control of Gaza. A Middle East expert is concerned that Trump’s comments and proposals could have a negative impact in the region.
“We’re gonna have Gaza,” said Trump during a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan. “We’re gonna take it, we’re gonna hold it, cherish it.”
“This is something we, as Arabs, will be coming to the United States something we will talk about later to discuss all these options,” said King Abdullah in response to Trump’s comments.
On Monday, Trump said he wants Palestinians in Gaza to be relocated elsewhere like Jordan and Egypt, which has widespread opposition among those countries and with other Arab nations.
“It’s their home and even though it’s been decimated by war and could be facing more rounds of conflict if the ceasefire doesn’t hold, there’s what Trump says and there’s reality,” said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute. “And the reality is King Abdullah will remind him these people will live there and won’t come to my country.”
Trump has warned to take away aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don’t meet his demands. Katulis warns there could be greater consequences in the region if the US steps away.
“I don’t think that will go very far,” said Katulis. “He might decide to cut aid but as we see he’s doing with US national security institutions like USAID or the freezing of aid. He’s essentially unilaterally disarming the United States to shape and influence events.”
“I think when President Trump makes these proposals like the United States is going to take over Gaza, I think he imagines the world something like the board game Risk,” said Katulis. “Remember when you have countries and move armies around and the reality is when you go the region its more of a game like Jenga where if you pull one piece out things are very interlinked and you can cause all sorts of instability.”
Following their meeting, the King of Jordan reiterated to the President that Arab nations hope for a two-state solution, not relocation, for the Palestinians.
