U.S. President Joe Biden and Jordan’s King Abdullah II underscored the critical importance of stabilizing the West Bank and bolstering the reforms sought by the Palestinian Authority.
This alignment was detailed in a statement released by the White House on Tuesday.
During their discussions, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to working together towards a more stable and integrated Middle East. President Biden affirmed the United States’ steadfast support for Jordan and its people.
The discussions also covered recent developments in Gaza, with both leaders expressing their commitment to collaborate towards a lasting end to the crisis.
Biden and King Abdullah stressed the necessity of an immediate release of detainees held by Hamas and a sustainable ceasefire that would allow the much-needed increase in humanitarian aid to be safely delivered across Gaza.
They renewed their commitment to achieving lasting peace, including the pathway to a Palestinian state, with security guarantees for Israel.
The American President and the Jordanian monarch also shared a joint commitment to facilitating the delivery of increasing and sustainable humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
President Biden thanked King Abdullah for Jordan’s decisive leadership and partnership in these efforts.
The talks also touched on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with King Abdullah emphasizing the need to double humanitarian aid to the region and ensure its delivery without obstacles or delays.
This was particularly highlighted during his meeting with Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in Washington the previous night.
King Abdullah warned of the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and called on the international community to take responsibility for halting this escalating catastrophe.
The meeting also discussed the role of UN organizations in carrying out their humanitarian duties in the area, underlining the importance of continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to enable it to deliver its services as mandated by the UN.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the impacts of the Syrian refugee crisis on Jordan, which hosts approximately 1.3 million Syrian refugees.
Discussions included cooperation mechanisms between Jordan and USAID in managing the refugee crisis and supporting developmental projects in the Kingdom, especially in the water sector.
King Abdullah praised the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States and the ongoing support and responsiveness of USAID to Jordan’s priorities in political, economic, and administrative modernization.
In turn, Power expressed her appreciation for Jordan’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
