Mon Feb 03 21:12:15 IST 2025: ## Trump’s Gaza Proposal Threatens to Destabilize Jordan, Analysts Warn

**AMMAN, JORDAN** – US President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestion that Jordan and Egypt absorb Gaza’s Palestinian population has sparked fears of regional instability and potential blackmail of Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Experts warn that Trump’s proposal, coupled with a temporary freeze on US foreign aid, could severely destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom.

Trump’s comments, labeling Jordan and Egypt as suitable locations for the relocation of approximately two million Palestinians from Gaza, have been met with outright rejection by both countries. However, Trump’s insistence on the idea, coupled with his assertion of significant US leverage, has raised concerns.

Analysts like Sean Yom, an associate professor of political science at Temple University, believe this represents a major confrontation. Jordan, heavily reliant on US aid ($1.45 billion annually), is vulnerable to pressure. This reliance stems from the 1994 Wadi Araba Treaty, which normalized relations between Jordan and Israel, paving the way for substantial US assistance.

The recent 90-day freeze on US foreign aid, while partially waived for humanitarian assistance, has added to the uncertainty. This action, analysts suggest, is a power play designed to assert US dominance in regional affairs. Dima Toukan, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, points out that the aid suspension impacts various forms of assistance, including military aid, impacting Jordan’s security apparatus.

The potential consequences for Jordan are severe. Facing already high internal tensions fueled by ongoing protests against Israel and the government’s handling of the Palestinian issue, any forced absorption of Palestinians could trigger widespread unrest. Recent electoral gains by the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Action Front highlight growing public discontent.

While a complete cutoff of aid is considered unlikely due to Jordan’s strategic importance to US interests, the pressure could force Jordan to seek alternative alliances with countries such as Russia, China, or Gulf states. The need for austerity measures to offset lost US funding would further exacerbate internal tensions.

Experts believe that walking back this “unrealistic proposition” is crucial to maintaining regional stability. Failure to do so would not only destabilize Jordan but also threaten the wider region, potentially triggering a major crisis.

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