Trump says talks on Middle East with Israel, others ‘progressing’
Jordan's King to meet Trump after Netanyahu's sojourn to US
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that talks with Israel and other countries on the Middle East were “progressing,” ahead of discussions in Washington on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
“The discussions on the Middle East with Israel and various other countries are progressing. Bibi (Benjamin) Netanyahu’s coming on Tuesday, and I think we have some very big meetings scheduled,” Trump told reporters, referring to the Israeli prime minister.
Meanwhile Jordan’s King Abdullah will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 11 at the White House, the Jordanian state news agency reported on Sunday, following Trump’s call for the transfer of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt.
Last week, Trump said that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza, which he called a “demolition site” following 15 months of Israeli bombardments that have rendered most of its 2.3 million people homeless. Critics have called his suggestion tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
Jordan appeared to reject Trump’s suggestion, with its Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi telling reporters on Jan. 26 that the country’s stance against any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza remains “firm and unwavering”.
Jordan is already home to several million Palestinians, while tens of thousands live in Egypt. Both countries and other Arab nations reject the idea of Palestinians in Gaza being moved to their countries. Gaza is land that Palestinians would want as part of a future Palestinian state.
