Jordan Times
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
King reiterates support
for Arab Israelis
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said Jordan would always
support Arab Israelis, or Palestinians who remained in their homeland after the
1948 Arab-Israeli war.
At a meeting with representatives of the Arab Democratic Party (ADP), the
Monarch said the Kingdom would not abandon any of its Arab brethren, including
Arabs in Israel “whom we shall not abandon under any circumstances.”
The delegates include politicians, mayors, businessmen, academicians,
journalists and judges.
King Abdullah said Jordan would also keep its doors open for Arab Israeli
students, whose number now stands at around 4,000 studying various subjects in
Jordanian universities.
The Monarch said offering youth education opportunities is “our responsibility
towards the generations to come,” adding that education helps reduce
unemployment and poverty and contributes to the progress of societies.
“We understand the sensitive conditions under which 1948 Arabs live,” the
Monarch said. He called for building bridges and working out mechanisms of
coordination between Jordan and the Arab community in Israel, which constitutes
20 per cent of the total population of Israel.
King Abdullah renewed support for the Palestinian Authority in its pursuit for
an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The delegates expressed their appreciation to the King and Jordan for the
support they receive, highlighting the fact that the Kingdom is Arab Israelis'
only conduit to interact with the Arab world.
Abdul Wahab Darawsheh, head of the ADP, said Arab Israelis reject the so-called
“alternative homeland,” a term used by some Israelis to refer to Jordan as an
alternative country for Palestinians.
“Jordan is for Jordanians,” the politician said, adding that there is no
Palestinian on earth who accepts the alternative homeland argument.
Ibrahim Sarsour, head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, who is also the head of
the Arab bloc in the Israeli Knesset, highlighted the importance of protecting
the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem. In this context, he pointed out the
role played by Jordan in safeguarding the Holy City and its revered sites,
especially “at this transitional period.”
ADP member Talab Sanaa said that with the approaching Israeli elections and the
electoral win of Hamas in the Palestinian legislative polls, the region is
entering a decisive stage.
He said Arabs in Israel would do their utmost to influence the Israeli polls in
a way that secures peace and security in the region and independence for the
Palestinians.
Commending Jordan's approach towards Arab Israelis, Sanaa called on other Arab
countries to show the same support for his fellow Arabs in Israel.
Also on Tuesday, the King met with Speaker of Bosnia-Herzegovina House of
Representatives Nikola Spiric and the accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, King Abdullah stressed Jordan's keenness to build a strong
and solid relationship with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Monarch discussed prospects of implementing joint private sector projects in
both countries with the delegation, calling for exchange visits between
officials and private sector representatives to realise this goal.
Lauding the Kingdom's achievements in the various fields, Spiric also commended
King Abdullah's efforts to enhance the country's developments and realise peace
in the Middle East.
Stressing his country's keenness to develop ties with the Kingdom in various
fields, Spiric said he was looking forward to the establishment of a Jordanian
embassy in his country.
Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali and Director of the King's Office Farouq
Qasrawi attended the meeting.
Also on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib met with Spiric and the
accompanying delegation to discuss issues of mutual concern and means to enhance
economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
Khatib briefed the delegation on the latest developments in the region,
especially in the Palestinian territories and Iraq.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali also met with
the delegation and discussed means to increase trade between the two countries
as well as investment opportunities.
The two sides discussed means to activate an agreement signed in 1995, which
entails cooperation in the educational, cultural, antiquities and social
developments fields.
The trade volume between the two countries is moderate, with the Kingdom's
imports from Bosnia-Herzegovina estimated at $60,000 last year, and exports
amounting to $1.05 million.