President Trump said Monday that he would consider withholding taxes to Jordan and Egypt if the US does not agree to steal Palestinians as part of its plan to take over and develop the Gaza Strip.
“If you don't agree to bring Palestinians, will you withhold aid from these countries?” Trump was asked during a gag with a reporter in the oval office.
“Yeah, maybe. Surely, why?” Trump replied. “If they don't agree, I'll probably withhold help. Yes.”
Jordan and Egypt are one of the largest recipients of US military aid.
US and Jordan I signed a memorandum In 2022, the US pledged to provide more than $1 billion a year in foreign aid. Provided by the US Approximately $1.5 billion During the 2023 foreign support for Egypt.
Last month, Trump called on Egypt and Jordan to bring more Palestinians from Gaza. Many of them were firmly affirmed by the Hamas-Israel war that broke out in October 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel.
Since then, Trump has proposed that the US control the Gaza Strip and restructure it into economic development. The White House says Palestinians will be temporarily relocated while Gaza is being rebuilt, but Trump is saying that Palestinians do not have the desire to return to Gaza and that they may not be allowed. It repeatedly suggests.
“If they can find a place where they exist, they want to leave Gaza,” Trump said Monday.
Arab leaders in the region say efforts to drive away Palestinians and move to neighboring countries are non-starters. Egypt and Jordan, which have a peace treaty with Israel, are opposed to absorbing Palestinians, threatening that it poses security risks, becomes unstable and causes public opposition.
Jordan already houses around 3 million Palestinians, many of whom have already been displaced by previous wars.
Trump is expected to meet the king of Jordan in Washington on Tuesday, and the Gaza Strip and its future will likely be a key component of their discussion. King Abdullah II has already come out against bringing Palestinians from Gaza, just like in Egypt.
Egypt announced on Sunday that it will host the Arab nations' summit on February 27th to discuss the latest developments on the future of the Palestinians. Associated Press.
