King Abdullah’s stance on world issues lauded

AMMAN — Political officials and analysts on Sunday said that His Majesty King Abdullah has been clear in his messages to the world that unilateral Israeli actions and a one-state solution would threaten the peace process, the two-state solution and the region’s stability.

Former minister Samih Maaytah said that “Jordan has always realised the danger of Israeli policies that ignore the peace process and depend on power and forcefulness”, noting that this is the most important reason behind the degradation in Jordanian-Israeli relations in recent years.

Ever since the Israeli occupation’s government began discussing its approach to annex large parts of the West Bank, Jordan has realised that “this will mean butchering the true peace process and the idea of a Palestinian state as Israel abuses the degrading of Arab and Palestinian conditions and depends on unprecedented support from the US administration,” Maaytah told The Jordan Times. 

“There were many political clashes between Jordan and Israel in recent years, throughout which Jordan stressed that peace is a process between two sides, not one side abusing it for its own benefit,” Maaytah said, noting that His Majesty has always highlighted the importance of protecting the peace process from Israeli policies.

The firm and clear stance that King Abdullah takes is a clear message to the world to shoulder its duties in protecting peace and shows that Israeli actions violate the rights of Palestinians and Jordan’s interests, Maaytah concluded.

For his part, President of the Professional Associations Council Ali Obous said that His Majesty King Abdullah’s stance boosts Jordanians’ morale and “expresses the Kingdom’s pride and power, showing there are options to oppose the deal of the century”.

Obous expressed the council’s support to His Majesty’s stance, rejecting any form of the deal, as the King expressed in Friday’s interview with Der Spiegel.

In the interview with the German magazine, King Abdullah said: “The two-state solution is the only way for us to be able to move forward.”

He also said: “Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean. What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexes the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”

Jamal Shalabi, professor of political science at the Hashemite University, said that in light of many events over the past few years, including the Arab Spring, the drop in oil prices, the normalisation between Arab countries and Israel, up to the coronavirus pandemic, Jordan is the only Arab country opposing the US support to Israel’s illegitimate actions and decisions.

“In spite of the difficult conditions facing the Kingdom in regards to the economy, in light of the coronavirus crisis, the King still clearly and firmly sends out messages to affirm the Kingdom’s stance,” Shalabi said.

The messages are directed at Israel and the US, stating that Arabs will not stand still, “especially when they are represented by Jordan”, and thus any strategic blemish; whether economic, political or safety-related, will reflect on Israel’s safety as well. 

Shalabi said the messages also address countries that seek to establish peace in the Middle East through a comprehensive two-state solution that ensures the creation of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines with the East Jerusalem as its capital. 

“The focus is on the European Union in particular, first through Germany, and His Majesty might also seek China and Russia, providing them with the image of the repercussions of Israel’s unilateral decisions,” the professor said, noting that this also sends out a message to Arabs to support Palestine regardless of the current political, economic and military conditions. 

His Majesty also addresses Jordanians to reiterate that he has and always will defend the Palestinian cause as a leader and a king, Shalabi said, noting that there is clear Jordanian diplomatic action in this regard.

Political Analyst and Commentator Bader Madi said, “Der Spiegel is one of the most important sources to formulate public opinion in Europe in particular and the world in general, and His Majesty’s interview thus sends out various messages to Jordanians, the region and the world.”

In the interview, Madi says that His Majesty focused on voicing political issues in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian cause, as a focal issue that determines the stability of the region and the world. 

Therefore, His Majesty highlighted the inevitable chaos and instability, which Israel will not be able to prevent, that will ensue if Israel attempts to annex the West Bank, Bader said, noting that this chaos will reach Europe, the US and the whole world.

Bader said the King addressed European countries, urging them to increase efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and also addressed Jordanians and Palestinians “to show that he is close to the people and knows what is needed to give Palestinians their historical rights in light of a clear Arab abandonment on supporting the right of Palestinians to determine their fate”.

“Many know that Israel’s stubbornness rendered the Jordanian-Israeli relations to reach their worst state, and thus the King also addresses the Israelis and tells them that their actions will not benefit the region’s stability on the long-term,” Bader said.

He continued: “The King also tells them that ignoring the Jordanian assessment of the political and safety status in the region will lead to more chaos, the impact of which will be felt by every side.”

“I believe His Majesty’s words are important for leaders of public opinion, politicians and anyone interested around the world, especially in the addressed countries,” the analyst said, noting that the goal is clear; which is to end the state of political, security and developmental deterioration in the Middle East.