Indeed, it is only appropriate for a King to stand firm in his beliefs!
King Abdullah of Jordan has ‘rejected’ the proposal from US President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians to Jordan. The King, who met Trump in the White House to discuss relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, stated on X that Jordan remains “steadfast” against “the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.” This is the collective position of the Arab world.
In his post on X, he asserted, “I emphasized that my primary commitment is to Jordan, its stability, and the welfare of Jordanians. I reiterated Jordan’s unwavering stance against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This stance is shared across the Arab nations.”
Earlier this week, Trump suggested that he could halt aid to Jordan and Egypt unless they accepted Palestinians from Gaza.
Previously, Abdullah informed Trump that he could accept 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza who are critically ill or suffering from cancer. However, the king later reaffirmed his long-standing opposition to the idea of displacing millions of Palestinians from their homes, as suggested by Trump.
Here’s everything you need to know about the King who has managed to say ‘no’ to Trump.
Who is the King of Jordan?
King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein has been the King of Jordan since ascending the throne in 1999 and is part of the Hashemite family, the ruling royal family of Jordan since 1921.
Born in Amman, Abdullah is the first child of King Hussein and his wife, Princess Muna. As the king’s first-born, Abdullah was the heir apparent until Hussein transferred the title to his uncle, Prince Hassan, in 1965.
Abdullah began his education in Amman and continued abroad. He launched his military career in 1980 as a training officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces, eventually leading the Special Forces in 1994 and rising to the rank of major general by 1998.
In 1993, Abdullah married Rania Al-Yassin, with whom he has four children: Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem.
Just weeks before his death in 1999, King Hussein named Abdullah as his successor, and Abdullah took on the mantle of leadership.
King on the throne:
Abdullah worked alongside his father on various missions and international meetings during his fathers reign. King Hussein passed away due to complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in February 1999 after ruling for 47 years through turbulent times marked by the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Cold War. After the announcement of his father’s death, Abdullah quickly appeared at an urgent session of the Jordanian parliament. His uncles, Hassan and Mohammed, entered the assembly before him. In Arabic, he took the same oath his father did fifty years prior: “I swear by Almighty God to uphold the constitution and to be faithful to the nation.”
The session was opened by the Senate Speaker Zaid Al-Rifai, who tearfully recited Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran), invoking divine blessings: “God, save His Majesty… God, guide him and protect him.”
Abdullah’s formal investiture took place on June 9, 1999, which was followed by a reception at Raghadan Palace attended by 800 dignitaries and a motorcade through Amman with the newly appointed 37-year-old king and his 29-year-old wife, Rania.
Married life and family:
King Abdullah first met Rania Al-Yassin at a dinner in January 1993, and by June of that year, they were married at Zahran Palace. In 1999, Rania became the youngest queen globally.
The royal couple has four children:
The eldest is Crown Prince Hussein, who wed Rajwa Al Saif in 2023 at Zahran Palace in Amman, and has a daughter named Princess Iman bint Al Hussein. The King and Queen have three additional children – Princess Iman, who married Jameel Alexander Thermiótis in 2023 at Beit Al Urdun Palace in Amman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem.
Notably, King Abdullah’s half-sister, Princess Haya, was previously married to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum.
Interests and hobbies:
Beyond his royal duties, King Abdullah has passions for skydiving, motorcycling, and water sports, and he collects ancient weapons as a hobby. However, he noted that he is no longer able to skydive after becoming king. He has been seen riding a Harley-Davidson through northern California.
The King is also an admirer of the science-fiction series Star Trek! In 1996, he made a brief appearance in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Investigations,” in a non-speaking role. His passion for cinema led to the establishment of the Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts in Aqaba, in collaboration with the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, in September 2006. When the producers of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen chose to shoot in Jordan, Abdullah arranged for military helicopters to assist in transporting equipment to Petra. In 2016, he honored the cast of Theeb, the first Jordanian film nominated for an Oscar.
Abdullah also has a taste for stand-up comedy; when comedians Gabriel Iglesias, Russell Peters, and others performed in Jordan for a 2009 comedy festival, he invited them for dinner.
In 2010, Abdullah released his autobiography, Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril, detailing the first decade of his reign, mirroring his father’s 1962 book, Uneasy Lies the Head. The book offers insights into his upbringing and behind-the-scenes stories of his interactions with political leaders.