Trump, the Arab world, and Gaza
Jordan's King Abdullah II came to Washington this week, with millions of jeopardised aid dollars and the pressure from Arab countries to support Palestinians in Gaza hanging over his head.
As the danger of a resumption of Israel's military campaign in Gaza intensifies and with a Saturday deadline for Hamas to release hostages, President Donald Trump is doubling down on his threats of a US “takeover” of the Palestinian enclave, forcing its population into Egypt, Jordan and elsewhere.
It is a moment of unique tension between Jordan and the US, Amman's largest benefactor. Mr Trump has also initiated sweeping cuts to the US aid system, and slashing funds to Jordan is apparently not off the table. He suggested as much on Monday but walked the threat back during his meeting the following day with the Jordanian monarch.
In this delicate position, King Abdullah sidestepped reporters' questions about his thoughts on Mr Trump's Gaza proposal.
“We have to keep in mind that there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab countries. We're being invited by [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman to discussions in Riyadh. I think the point is how to make this work in a way that is good for everybody,” King Abdullah said at the Oval Office.
How Washington's Middle East partners respond to Mr Trump's plan for Gaza – which experts have said amounts to ethnic cleansing – will have a significant impact on how it materialises. In this first test for a regional leader in Washington amid the chaos, it seems caution over confrontation has defined the working relationship.
Ellie Sennett
US Correspondent
EYE ON THE WHITE HOUSE
'All hell' to break out if hostages not released from Gaza by Saturday, Trump warns
President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas on Monday, saying that if all hostages were not freed from Gaza by noon on Saturday, then “all hell is going to break out”.
“As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock – I think it's an appropriate time – I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” he said. “And if they're not returned – all of them, not in dribs and drabs … after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
He added that Israel could “override” such a decision. Asked whether the US would intervene in Gaza after the Saturday deadline, Mr Trump said: “We’ll see what happens.”
What's Washington talking about?
International Criminal Court Mr Trump signed an executive order imposing economic and travel restrictions on people who work for the ICC, in response to the tribunal issuing arrest warrants against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The order comes as Congress prepares to strengthen the designations with legislation. Democrats are dissenting on a current bill in the Senate, but only due to disagreements over “five words", foreign relations committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen said.
Tulsi Gabbard The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Donald Trump's Director of National Intelligence, demonstrating that even the President's most controversial appointments will receive support from his few remaining sceptics in the Republican Party.
Hamas hostages The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday hosted former Hamas hostages, as well as their families, in a bipartisan round-table, with fears growing of an imminent resumption of fighting as the militant group runs up against a deadline to free more hostages. Republican committee chairman Brian Mast promised that Mr Trump would be willing to “move heaven and Earth” to get the hostages back.
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Interview: Trump must listen to Palestinians if he wants peace in the Middle East, envoy says
Mr Trump must listen to the Palestinian people if he is to achieve his vision for peace in the Middle East, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN told The National's senior US correspondent Willy Lowry.
Riyad Mansour, permanent observer for Palestine to the UN since 2005, said Mr Trump's plan to “take over” Gaza, displace its 2.3 million residents and redevelop the coastal enclave is unlikely to bring an end to the conflict.
“Some of the statements that were uttered regarding, you know, ethnic cleansing and displacement of the Palestinian people and taking our land away from us are not conducive to peace,” Mr Mansour said.
“Why shouldn't we be attached to this land?” he added. “Shame on those who destroyed it.”
ONLY IN AMERICA
Google Maps changes 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' for US users
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During Mr Trump's inauguration speech on January 20, he stated his intention to make the change, saying: “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world.”
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