Jordan’s King Abdullah II Visits White House Amidst Delicate Balancing Act
The recent visit of Jordan’s King Abdullah II to the White House has shed light on the delicate position that the Hashemite Kingdom finds itself in the Middle East. As the country’s leadership tries to maintain close ties with the United States while also taking a firm stance towards Israel and its actions in Gaza, King Abdullah II and his wife, Queen Rania, arrived in Washington to navigate this challenging balancing act.
During their meeting, President Biden expressed gratitude to Jordan for its assistance in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and recognized the country as an important ally of the United States. He emphasized the significance of strong bonds between nations during difficult times like these. In response, King Abdullah II called for an end to the war in Gaza and urged immediate action to ensure the delivery of sufficient aid to the region.
This visit marked the first by an Arab leader to the United States since Hamas’ terror attack against Israel, which triggered a full-scale war in Gaza and heightened tensions throughout the Middle East. While Jordan has not directly mediated between Israel and Hamas like Qatar and Egypt, King Abdullah II is likely to use this opportunity to pressure President Biden to seek an end to the conflict and secure a role for Jordan in post-war efforts to rebuild Gaza.
Dr. Saud Al-Sharafat, a former brigadier general in the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate, explained that despite the tensions, relations between Jordan, Israel, and the United States have continued even in the most challenging circumstances. He believes that King Abdullah II’s primary goal during this visit was to gain American assurances that Jordan will remain the custodian of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem and to ensure that Palestinian refugees from Gaza will not be sent to Jordan or the West Bank.
Additionally, Jordan is seeking a role in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and hopes to receive U.S. military aid to strengthen its air defense system. This desire for assistance is particularly significant following a recent drone attack by Iran-backed militants on a U.S. military base in northeastern Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
The internal politics of Jordan have influenced the country’s tough stance towards Israel’s actions in Gaza. With half of Jordan’s citizens being of Palestinian origin, there is pressure on the regime to take a hard line against Israel and the United States. Queen Rania, who herself has Palestinian heritage, spoke out against Israel’s military response, refusing to acknowledge the atrocities committed by Hamas. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi also condemned Israeli actions as a “war crime.” These statements were made to control and appease the sentiments of the population and the Islamist opposition.
Jonathan Schanzer, a senior vice president for research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, described Jordan’s position during the conflict as “bizarre.” He acknowledged that Jordan’s strong pro-Palestinian stance stems from its large Palestinian population. However, he also highlighted that Jordan is battling Iran-backed militias on its border with Syria and faces the same enemy as Israel. Furthermore, Israel plays a crucial role in Jordan’s stability due to the water, gas, and intelligence it provides.
Despite the apparent discrepancies between Jordanian and U.S. approaches to the conflict, Jordan still looks to the United States for support. Schanzer criticized the lack of American leadership in nudging Jordan towards a more moderate position regarding Israel. He emphasized the importance of keeping strong allies in the region unified and delivering a message of solidarity.
In conclusion, King Abdullah II’s visit to the White House highlighted the delicate balancing act that Jordan faces in maintaining its relationships with the United States and Israel while also addressing the concerns of its Palestinian population. The king sought assurances from President Biden regarding Jerusalem’s holy sites and the fate of Palestinian refugees from Gaza. Jordan also hopes to play a role in Gaza’s reconstruction and receive military aid to bolster its defense system. Despite differing perspectives, both Jordan and the United States recognize the importance of their alliance in navigating the complex dynamics of the Middle East.
