Israel Matzav

Jordan hanging by a thread?

On Monday, Jordan's King Abdullah said that Israel's situation is 'more difficult than ever.'

"Jordan and the future Palestine are stronger than Israel is today. It is the Israeli who is scared today," King Abdullah of Jordan said late Sunday in Amman.

The king described a recent conversation he held in the US with "one of the Israeli intellectuals" who commented on events in the Arab world, arguing that they were good for Israel. "I replied and said that it was the opposite and that Israel's situation today is more difficult than ever before."

I believe that's true regarding Egypt - our situation with them is much more difficult than before. I'm not sure it will be true if Assad is replaced in Syria. The difference is Assad's open support for Iran and for 'Palestinian' terror organizations. But be that as it may....

Abdullah reiterated that his country would not serve as an "alternative homeland to the Palestinians."

According to the Jordanian leader, "Jordan is Jordan and Palestine is Palestine. We support all Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state – our policy hasn’t changed. The subject of an alternative homeland must not be part of the discussion. It is unacceptable."

Abdullah sought to reassure everyone, saying "I have never heard from any senior American official – whether Bush, Clinton or Obama – any pressure on Jordan that the Palestinian solution should come at its expense."

On Tuesday, 'Israeli officials' returned the favor.

There is also growing concern in Israel over the situation in Jordan. Senior Israeli officials define the Hashemite kingdom's situation as "hanging by a thread". The officials claim that "the situation in Jordan is precarious and it is possible that it is heading for a major jolt which should be taken with the utmost seriousness.

"The situation in the Middle East does not allow for irresponsible moves from the Palestinians, steps that will fail to bring security, peace and a Palestinian state, what they will bring is lack of stability."

Israel refused to issue an official response to King Abdullah's Monday statements, but state officials noted that "the king's statements should be monitored in light of the delicate domestic situation in the kingdom."

Israel believes that Abdullah was obliged to express himself in that manner due to the intricacy of the current situation in Jordan and the region. Nevertheless, government sources note that "there is no need to get worked up. The king has a strong bond with the Americans and firm joint interests with Israel. Calm must be kept in the area and events must be monitored."

The... (ahem) king doesn't want an irredentist 'Palestinian state' - especially if he can't send 70% of his population there. And Israel doesn't want the King toppled because what would come next would undoubtedly be worse.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Jordan is Palestine, Jordanian King Abdullah

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:36 AM