Jordan stands firm on two-state solution as Kushner visits ahead of Palestine conference

Jordan stands firm on two-state solution as Kushner visits ahead of Palestine conference
Jordan's king reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after meeting Trump advisor Jared Kushner, whose "Deal of the Century" plan has been rejected by Palestinians.
2 min read
Protesters against Kushner's visit pray after they are prevented from reaching the US embassy [Getty]
Jordan on Wednesday stood by a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, exposing a rift with the United States as the Trump administration tries to rally Arab support for an economic peace conference next month in Bahrain.

Presidential advisers Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt met with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman.

Jordan's official Petra news agency said the two parties "discussed regional developments, especially efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

The king restated his commitment to the two-state solution, with the formation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, a position that appears to be at odds with President Donald Trump's so-called "Deal of the Century."

Greenblatt tweeted that he had a "constructive meeting" with King Abdullah that included "a good conversation about regional dynamics and our administration's efforts to help Israel and the Palestinians achieve a brighter future."

Jordan, a key US ally, has not yet said whether it will attend the June 25-26 meeting in Manama, capital of the Gulf state of Bahrain.

The Palestinians have already said they will boycott the summit and have rejected the Trump administration's Mideast peace plan out of hand.

Trump's peace plan is expected to recognise Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and settlements in the West Bank, thwarting hopes for the creation of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Kushner, who arrived from Morocco, has said the conference will focus on the economic foundations of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The conference will not include core political issues, such as Palestinian statehood.

Greenblatt and Kushner met with Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Tuesday and discussed Morocco's support for the peace conference. Moroccan officials declined to comment on Kushner's visit.

The White House confirmed Kushner was in Amman on Wednesday, but gave no details.

Reliant on American political and military support, it will be difficult for Jordan to reject the invitation. But with most of its people of Palestinian descent, it will also be difficult to embrace a plan that does not include a Palestinian state.