Citizens, political parties, associations voice support after ‘bold’ Baqoura decision

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah’s decision to terminate Annex I (b) and Annex I (c) of the Wadi Araba Peace Treaty, a decision which restores the Baqoura and Ghumar lands to Jordanian sovereignty, was well-received by citizens, political parties and civil institutions.

The peace treaty, signed in 1994, puts the Baqoura and Ghumar lands under “a special regime” between the two countries for a period of 25 years, ending in October 2019. The agreement meant that the areas were not subject to customs or immigration legislation. It also granted free Israeli travel and Israeli property rights.

In the case that either country does not wish to renew the terms of the agreement, it is obliged to give a one-year notice to the other of its intention to do so, or the terms are automatically renewed.

The King’s decision on Sunday not to renew the annexes was favoured by the public, with many of them using their Facebook and Twitter accounts as a platform to voice their happiness and content.

“Now it can truly be said that Jordan is ours — desert, land and sea,” said Ahmad Shawabkah in a Facebook comment.

Narmin Thalji, a doctor, said via Twitter, “waiting for the whole treaty to hopefully be annulled one day! God bless Jordan, both [its] King and people!”

Citizens who spoke with The Jordan Times recalled that they “were probably just as shocked as the Israelis that Jordan would take such a bold decision”, as Roaa Natour, a teacher, put it.

“Feelings of pride fill the air. It’s a good time to be Jordanian,” said Sundos Shihadeh, a student.

Political parties, even those which are known by the public as “opposition parties”, sent out statements that praised the decision, calling it “a step in the right direction”.

The Muslim Brotherhood, one of the leading Islamist opposition parties in the past, had their Jordanian branch post on Facebook a statement, part of which read: “We commend this decision, and urge the government to start implementing it as soon as possible.”

The Coalition of Nationalist and Leftist Parties, which includes six communist, socialist and leftist parties such as the Jordan Communist Party and Baath Party, said in a joint statement sent to The Jordan Times: “We see the King’s decision as a response to the demands of the Jordanian people, and we ask for national solidarity as to implement this historical decision, which can be considered a first step to erasing the shame that the Wadi Araba Peace Treaty has left us with.”

Civil institutions, associations and other communities have also expressed their satisfaction that accompanied this long-awaited decision. 

The Complex for Professional Associations, for example, held one last conference on the matter on Monday, commending the decision after they had held several conferences and meetings over the past few months urging the government to annul the treaty.