President Donald Trump has embarked on a diplomatic stretch that could make or break his idea that the United States would “own” Gaza and displace millions of Palestinians as some congressional Democrats contend his proposal is a mere domestic distraction tool.
As the U.S. leader continues revising his Gaza plan nearly every time he speaks publicly, he met privately Tuesday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and is slated to host Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the White House next week. He has contended that both countries would eventually cut deals under which they would accept displaced Gazans, something both leaders have rejected.
Trump also has put the two U.S. allies in a strategically fraught position, with both eager to prevent unrest at home. At issue for both countries is congressionally approved American aid. Asked Monday about turning off those spigots unless Abdullah and el-Sissi back his idea, Trump responded: “Yeah, maybe, sure why not? If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes.” However, with Abdullah by his side a day later, the president said of withholding aid: “I think we’re above that.”
