Israel Matzav

Report: Jordan wants Israel on its border

MK Ofir Akunis (Likud), who is considered a close confidante of Prime Minister Netanyahu, told a townhall meeting in Tel Aviv on Saturday that the Kingdom of Jordan is quite nervous about sharing a border with a state of 'Palestine.'

MK Ofir Akunis told a town hall gathering in Tel Aviv on Saturday that Israeli officials have received feedback from their Jordanian counterparts who are alarmed at the prospect of an Israeli withdrawal from the boundary that separates the West Bank from the Hashemite kingdom.

“The Jordanians are opposed to an Israeli withdrawal from the Jordan Valley out of fear that if a Palestinian state arises and is taken over by extremist elements like Hamas and Al-Qaida, this would endanger the king’s rule, not just Tel Aviv,” Akunis said.

Netanyahu met last week with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman for what was described as a “surprise” visit.

But the Jordanians are apparently more afraid of the Arab League than they are of the 'Palestinians.' They can't say what Akunis said.

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said earlier this month that the Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley would be contrary to the peace agreement signed between the two countries in 1994.

Speaking to a gathering of parliament members, he said that Jordan “categorically rejects any Israeli intention in this regard and will not stand idly by, but will act diplomatically,” according to a report on Thursday in the London-based daily Al-Hayat.

So the Jordanians are happy to have this remain unresolved forever. Well, at the moment there are no realistic better options anyway.

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, Jordan, Jordan Valley, Jordanian King Abdullah, Middle East peace process, Ofir Akunis

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:53 PM