King Abdullah II, a close U.S. ally dependent on aid from Washington, is confronting the president’s demands that he take in Palestinians from Gaza, a step the king’s domestic politics will not allow.

President Donald Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday as he escalates pressure on the Arab nation to take in refugees from Gaza — perhaps permanently — as part of his audacious plan to remake the Middle East.

President Donald Trump backed off his threat to withhold US aid for Jordan after King Abdullah II agreed during a White House meeting to accept 2,000 ill children from Gaza.