AMMAN: Fifteen Jordanian lawmakers yesterday urged the government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel in protest against a discussion in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, envisaging Jordan as an “alternative homeland” for Palestinians.
“The voting on the proposal proves that ruling politicians in Israel do not believe in peace and have no respect for peace treaties and UN resolutions,” the pro-government National Democratic Bloc at the lower house of Parliament said in a statement.
The group, which has 15 deputies, considered last week’s discussion at the Knesset “a violation” of the peace treaty, which Jordan concluded with Israel in 1994, saying the move should be countered by the “dismissal of the Israeli ambassador and withdrawal of the Jordanian envoy” from the Jewish state.
The proposal entitled: “Two States for Two Peoples on the Two Banks of the River Jordan” was put on the Knesset’s agenda by deputy Arieh Elad from the far-right National Union/National Religious Party.
According to Israeli media, the Parliament voted to refer the suggestion to one of its committees for further discussion.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman earlier this week and handed him a strongly worded protest that “categorically rejected” the move.
The Jordanian press and the opposition, however, described the government’s protest as “insufficient” and urged more effective steps.
The Jordanian lawmakers’ move could escalate tension between Jordan and Israel particularly after the Knesset approved Wednesday in first reading a draft law that would send Palestinians in Israel to jail if they deny the judicial nature of Israel.
