By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
Jordan-Israel tensions have deepened in recent months, as lawmakers in Amman moved to strip the word “Israel” from official parliamentary minutes and senior Jordanian officials reaffirmed a hardline stance on regional issues involving the Jewish state.
Parliament Votes to Remove “Israel” From Minutes
The dispute followed remarks by then-US Ambassador Mike Huckabee on West Bank reforms, which Jordanian lawmakers characterized as a breach of international law tied to claims of religious rights over the territory.
In response, Jordan’s Parliament voted to erase mentions of Israel from the debate record.
MP Ali Khalaileh called for Jordan to summon the US ambassador for clarification on Huckabee’s comments, while MP Abdul Nasser Khasawneh urged that the term “Israeli entity” be permanently dropped MP Abdul Nasser Khasawneh went further, urging that the phrase “Jordan-Israel entity” be dropped from official discourse entirely and replaced with language describing it as an occupying power that has no legitimate claim to the land.
The proposal to remove “Israel” from the minutes was backed by Saleh al-Armouti, head of the Islamic Action Front bloc, the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood.
The episode marked a sharp escalation in diplomatic tension between Amman and Tel Aviv, despite the two countries having signed a normalization treaty in 1994.
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, represented the kingdom separately at a related peace council meeting.
Deputy Speaker Atiyeh Reaffirms Moderation Stance
First Deputy Speaker of Jordan’s Lower House, Khamis Atiyeh, has been a prominent voice on regional policy in recent weeks.
Speaking at a lecture on Jordan’s regional principles in Hebron governorate, Atiyeh said the kingdom’s approach guided by King Abdullah II rests on moderation and support for Arab causes, foremost the Palestinian issue, while safeguarding national interests and stability.
He described Jordanian-Palestinian ties as extending beyond geography to a shared identity and destiny.
Atiyeh has also addressed direct security threats to the kingdom. After an Iranian strike targeted Jordanian territory, Atiyeh condemned the attack, saying any violation of the kingdom’s security or sovereignty constitutes an unacceptable act of aggression and a breach of international law.
He added that Jordan will not allow its territory or airspace to become an arena for settling regional disputes, calling the country’s security and stability “red lines” that cannot be compromised.
Key Facts
- Jordan’s Parliament voted to remove “Israel” from official minutes after US ambassador Mike Huckabee’s remarks on West Bank reforms.
- Jordan and Israel signed a normalization treaty in 1994, which remains in force.
- First Deputy Speaker Khamis Atiyeh has publicly emphasized moderation and support for the Palestinian cause as pillars of Jordan’s regional policy.
- Atiyeh condemned a separate Iranian strike on Jordanian territory as a breach of international law.
- Jordanian MPs have called for terminology changes, replacing “Israel” with terms such as “usurping entity” in official discourse.
- Jordan-Israel
FAQs:
Who is Khamis Atiyeh?
He is the First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Jordan-Israel Parliament.
Why did Jordan’s Parliament remove “Israel” from its minutes?
It followed objections to remarks by then-US Ambassador Mike Huckabee on West Bank reforms, which lawmakers said breached international law.
Is the 1994 Jordan-Israel peace treaty still in effect?
Yes, despite the recent tensions, the treaty signed in 1994 has not been formally revoked.
What is Jordan’s official stance on the Palestinian issue?
According to Deputy Speaker Atiyeh, it is one of moderation and support for the Palestinian cause, guided by King Abdullah II.
Wider Regional Friction
Jordan-Israel officials have separately criticized Israeli policy statements.
Former deputy prime minister Mohammad Momani called on the government to formally denounce remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, urging political action against what he called a radical Jordan-Israel government stance.
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