From the 2019 “Deal of the Century” Failure to the 2025 Displacement Project's Defeat

Jordan is steadfast with its leadership and people. Over the past decades, Jordan has faced fateful challenges targeting its national security and social stability, but it has remained steadfast thanks to the cohesion of its leadership and people. Since the failure of the “Deal of the Century” in 2019 to the failure of attempts to impose the displacement project in 2025, the Kingdom has proven that it is a solid entity that protects its rights and defends its interests with all firmness.

Jordan faced what was called the “Deal of the Century”, a political and economic plan that would have changed the features of the Palestinian issue at the expense of the historical rights of Palestinians and Jordanians. From the very first moment, the Jordanian position was clear and firm in rejecting any settlement that would diminish the rights of the Palestinians to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, or affect Jordan's sovereignty and its historical role in the Hashemite guardianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites.

His Majesty King Abdullah led active diplomacy in international forums, warning of the danger of the project and its negative effects on the stability of the region, and emphasising three fixed noes: no to displacement, no to settlement, no to an alternative homeland. The Jordanian state also mobilised a supportive Arab and international position, which contributed to aborting the plan and preventing its implementation. The Jordanian position, based on international legitimacy and the will of the people, was a rock on which the deal was shattered, as Jordan consolidated its historical position rejecting any solutions that come at the expense of the rights of the Palestinian people and their national identity, and maintained its central role in defending the Palestinian cause and its holy sites.

The challenges did not stop at the “Deal of the Century”, but rather pressures continued in various forms, the most dangerous of which were attempts to impose new displacement projects from the Palestinian territories, threatening Jordan demographically and politically. Over the past years, warnings have escalated of plans aimed at emptying Palestinian areas and pushing their residents towards Jordan, in an effort to change the facts on the ground and impose new facts that serve certain agendas.

From 1948 to 2025, the Jordanian leadership worked to thwart these plans, through diplomatic moves, coordination with allies and raising its voice in international forums. Jordan was not just an objecting party, but was an active player in defending the rights of the Palestinians and preventing any attempts to impose unfair solutions at its expense.

What enables Jordan to overcome these challenges is its internal unity and the cohesion of its people with its leadership. Jordanians, with all their components, have proven that they are of one heart when it comes to the fate of their homeland. Whether it was in the face of the “Deal of the Century” or displacement plans, the voice of the Jordanian street was supportive of the state’s position, rejecting any solutions that come at the expense of the homeland or the Palestinian cause.

At every critical juncture, Jordan stood steadfast, not only with the support of its leadership, but also with the will of its conscious people who believe in the justice of their cause. Jordanians realize that their national security is linked to the Palestinian cause, and that any attempt to tamper with it means a threat to their stability.

The failure of the “Deal of the Century” in 2019 and the failure of the displacement project in 2025 were not just passing stations, but rather confirmation that Jordan does not accept imposed solutions and does not allow itself to be part of plans that do not serve its interests. It is a fixed, ongoing position, rooted in the conscience of all Jordanians.

Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University