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Jordan’s Position on Current Conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians
Jordan believes a time-lined resumed Peace Process with defined terms
of reference and a clear end point based on the original terms of
reference (United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242,
338
and 425
and the Land for Peace formulae), the Arab Peace Initiative of
the Beirut Summit, and United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1397 should be launched as soon as
possible. In this context, Jordan fully supports the views
expressed by His Excellency Mr. George Bush, the President of the
United States of America, on 24 June 2002, in which the US
President outlined his views for an end game at the
Palestinian-Israeli track to include the establishment of a
Palestinian State by mid 2005 next to the State of Israel in the West Bank and Gaza.
Jordan
and the Israeli Wall
The wall or ‘security fence’, currently being
built by the Israeli government threatens the concept of a Palestinian state as
well as Jordan’s national security interests. The wall cuts deep inside
Palestinian territory, confiscates more Palestinian land and divides the West
Bank into three cantons making it extremely difficult to travel freely. About a
quarter million Palestinians will be isolated by the structure snaking through
the West Bank, holding back 16 per cent of its total area, or 915,000 dunums.
Residents of 71 Palestinian towns and villages will be separated from their
farmlands, and the total number of villages and towns that will be affected by
the barrier is 206, inhabited by about 875,000 Palestinians or 38 per cent of
the West Bank's population.
The wall is a clear implementation of the Israeli government’s separation
policy. The wall will practically and irreversibly terminate any chance for the
establishment of a viable, sustainable Palestinian state and stands defiantly
against President Bush’s vision of a two-state solution and against the
mechanism to get there - the roadmap.
In an article written by Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs and
Government Performance Dr. Marwan Muasher on Oct. 26, 2004:
"It also explains Jordan's position vis-a-vis the construction
of the Israeli “security” barrier in the West Bank and its
route. The current route of the separation barrier constitutes a
grave threat to Jordan's national security. The route of the
barrier, which cuts into the West Bank in several places, will
prevent the establishment of any independent Palestinian state
in the future. " [see
full article]
On July 18, 2004, Foreign
Minister Marwan Muasher said in an interview with Haaretz that 'Israel must understand that we are not
against a fence per se. Israel's need to defend itself is clear
and understandable, but it can put the fence on the 1967 border.
A fence inside Palestinian territories, as currently planned,
will divide the West Bank into three parts, and every
Palestinian will need an Israeli permit to go from one part to
another. In the long run, they'll have the following options: to
seek Israeli citizenship, which won't happen; to continue living
under occupation forever; or to emigrate to Jordan. It's clear
which option they'll choose.
"This affects our national security. Jordan does have a large
proportion of Palestinians, but it is not an alternative
homeland for the Palestinians in the territories. I think they
also understand this in the Likud. They tell us in Israel that
we are exaggerating, that nothing will happen and the scenario
is extreme. We say that if we look 10 years ahead, the situation
could change and the scenario won't be so extreme, so a
Palestinian state must be established. The fence eliminates that
option, and the option of peace with other states." [see
full text]
During the 59th Session of the UN General
Assembly on September 27, 2004, Minister of Foreign Affairs His
Excellency Dr. Muasher reiterated that Jordan "will continue
to support the Palestinian people in their pursuit to establish
their independent state over their national territory on the
basis of the United Nations Security Council resolutions 242,
338, 1397 and 1515, the principle of land for peace, The Road
Map and the Arab Peace Initiative.
"Also, we stand ready to provide any assistance the Palestinian
side might seek within the framework of its efforts to reform
its administrative and security structures in order to help it
enhance its abilities to fulfill its obligations under The Road
Map." [see
full text]
Jordan's Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said in an interview with The
Washington Post that the wall is a "direct threat . . . to Jordanian
national security because it might revive the transfer option [of Palestinians
to Jordan] despite all Israeli assertions to the contrary."
"We are afraid that the day might come when Israeli leaders might argue
'Jordan is Palestine,' " Muasher added. "Why are we worried?" he
went on. "The wall will effectively divide the West Bank into three parts.
It will make life impossible for Palestinians: dividing them from their work,
their schools, their lands. If that happens, what options do Palestinians have?
They will leave, voluntarily or by force, for Jordan." [see
Interview with The Washington Post's David Ignatius]
During an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on March 14, 2004,
Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said, "We have not taken a
stand against Israel defending itself against such operations. And
indeed, if Israel wants to defend Israeli population centers, then
it can build the wall within its own territory on the '67 line. No
one objects to that. Israel is not doing that, but instead is
building the fence inside Palestinian territory and therefore,
jeopardizing the lives of the Palestinian population." [see
full text]
He also added that "the campaign against the wall has already
succeeded in Israel admitting that it is endangering the lives of
Palestinians and in publicly announcing that it will change the
course of the wall. Again, we have to emphasize that the course of
the wall and the arrangements accompanying that wall being built
inside Palestinian territory is the problem rather than the wall
itself." [see
full text]
Jordan's role
would be "very defined" added Minister Muasher, "we
will only be ready to train police and Palestinian security
officials. Training Palestinian security officers will not be
the first stage in a wider involvement, because we have a
wall-to-wall agreement among us that our role in the West Bank
is over. There is no advantage for us there, only disadvantage,
and in Jordan we are concentrating now on Jordan - as King
Abdullah has said, `Jordan First.' [see
full article]
Jordan's Official Position on the
Israeli Separation Barrier:
- Israel's separation barrier, which cuts deep into
Palestinian territories, is illegal and should be brought down.
“Jordan's official position is that the wall is illegal and as
such, the wall, if it is inside Palestinian territory, has to come
down.”
- Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher made the remarks during a
press conference following talks with visiting South Korean
counterpart Ban Ki-moon on February 19, 2004.
- The wall threatens the creation of a Palestinians state,
the peace process, and Jordan's national security.
“Not only does the wall threaten a viable Palestinian state
and the peace process, but also Jordan's national security.”
- Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher made the remarks following
talks with visiting South Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon on
February 19, 2004.
His Majesty King Abdullah indicated that the unavoidable path for
peace between Israelis and Palestinians entailed genuine
recognition of Arab summit resolutions and the Quartet-backed
roadmap. In a speech addressing the 34th annual meeting of the
World Economic Forum on January 23, 2004 in Davos, he said: “This
is the unavoidable road to peace.”
The King also warned of the likely loss to the international
community if it is not resolved to achieving a just and lasting
peace, saying: “The international community cannot afford to
let the collective suicide of Palestinians and Israelis feed rage
and violence in the region and the world. That means rejecting
terror, but also condemning repression and the new Wall.”
His Majesty added that “It is an effort that requires the
active leadership of the United States, and a collective
international alliance for peace.” – [see
full text]
During an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on December 7th,
2003, His Majesty King Abdullah II said, “The security
barrier… in the long term, I think it will be tremendously
damaging to the Israeli-Palestinian future, the Israeli-Arab
future, the Israeli-Jordanian future and also to the future of
Israel… I think this wall is going to be disastrous for all of
us.” – [see
full text]
- The wall violates humanitarian law and international law.
“We always maintained, and this was an integral part of our
presentation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), that the
wall is in violation of the humanitarian law and international law
because it's being built on occupied territory.”
- Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher made the remarks following talks
with visiting South Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon on February 19,
2004.
Jordan underlines the need for the respect and implementation of
what has been declared by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
in its advisory opinion on the separation wall being built by
Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The ICJ's
pronouncement is the law and no peaceful settlement of the
Palestinian question is to be realized unless based on respect
for the rules of international law and the recognition of the
legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right
to self-determination.
During the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly on September
27, 2004, Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Dr. Muasher
stated that ICJ's opinion was both clear and specific regarding
the following points: [see
full text]
- The West Bank including East Jerusalem, is an occupied
territory and, under international law, Israel is an
occupying power. Accordingly, the claim that the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, is a “disputed territory” has been
dismissed once and for all.
- That the relevant rules of international Humanitarian
Law are applicable to the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including The Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth
Geneva Convention of 1949 which, according to the ICJ, is
legally applicable to such territory.
- That the Palestinian people have the right to
self-determination and that Israel is violating such right
in contravention of the peremptory norms of international
law.
- That the Israeli settlements built in the territories
occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, are in breach of
the rules of international humanitarian law.
- That the construction by Israel of the wall in the OPT,
including East Jerusalem, is illegal. Furthermore, Israel is
under an obligation to cease its violations relating to the
construction of the wall by, interalia, dismantling those
portions of it erected in OPT, reinstating the rights to
their owners and compensating those who incurred losses as a
result of Israel's illegal acts.
- That the construction of the Wall and its route create a
fait accompli on the ground that could become permanent, in
which case would be tantamount to an actual annexation of
the OPT.
- The Law makes it incumbent upon us as an international
community to refrain from supporting Israel in its
violations as well as from recognizing the illegal situation
arising from the construction of the Separation Wall.
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Jordan at the ICJ
Jordan's permanent representative to the United Nations HRH Prince
Zeid Bin Raed l submitted to the world court Amman's oral legal
arguments against the separation barrier Israel is building across
the West Bank on February 24, 2004.
Jordan's legal dossier addresses the political, legal, economic and
social repercussions of the Israeli wall.
The legal aspect argues that the barrier not only jeopardizes
Palestinian national interests and the possibility for establishing
a viable Palestinian state, but also threatens Jordan's national
security.
The Jordanian delegation to the Hague includes, Prince Zeid, head
of delegation, Jordan's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mazen
Armouti, legal advisers Sir Arthur Wats and Professor Goodwin Gil,
Bisher Khasawneh of Jordan's permanent mission in New York, Mahmoud
Al Hmoud, legal adviser at the mission, Samer Naber, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) legal department acting director and Asharaf
Zeitoon, another MFA representative.
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Jordan's
Recent Position on the Latest Israeli-Palestinian Developments
Yassin Assassination
Jordan strongly condemns the assassination of the spiritual
leader and the founder of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, by Israeli
authorities on March 22, 2004, and believes the crime will only
lead to further escalation, violence and instability in the
region.
The turnout of events came despite the relentless efforts Jordan
has exerted with all concerned parties including the Israeli
government to dissuade it from going on with its military
escalation policy.
Jordan urges the Israeli government to halt the escalation and
to put an end to its assassination policy and calls on it to
withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories, return to
the negotiations and adhere to the principles of a comprehensive
and just peace to attain the desired security and stability
needed for peace.
Jordan calls on the international community to assume its
responsibility in bringing the peace process back on track and
help spare the region the state of violence and chaos which
Jordan has always rejected.
Jordan will continue working to revive the Middle East peace
plan, the roadmap, and help the Palestinians end the Israeli
occupation of their lands to establish their own viable state.
Gaza Pullout
Jordan welcomes the Israeli dismantlement of
Jewish settlements and withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a step
in the right direction.
The Gaza withdrawal should not be a replacement of the Roadmap
but very much part of it. This is why Jordan insists on a clear
commitment by Israel to all three phases of the Roadmap.
On October 9, 2005, His Majesty King Abdullah II's said in an
interview with Al Rai Newspaper that "We are optimistic that
the withdrawal from Gaza would be the first step to the pullout
from the West Bank in accordance with the roadmap. Both the
Palestinians and the Israelis are required now to build on what
has been achieved.
Meanwhile, I call on the Palestinians to unite their ranks and
steer clear of internal divisions because internal strife is not
in the interest of the Palestinian people.
We all should be helping the Palestinian Authority enhance its
institutional capabilities and bring an end to the security
chaos. The world is watching the Palestinian experience in Gaza
after the Israeli withdrawal, which we hope will succeed so that
the international community can help them and demand that Israel
take further steps to withdraw from the West Bank." [see
full text]
Jordan believes the withdrawal presented an opportunity to move
the road map forward. The International community must aid the
Palestinian Authority in restoring the rule of law and
maintaining order and security in post-withdrawal Gaza. Jordan
hopes that Israel take further steps to withdraw from
settlements in the West Bank.
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Roadmap
Jordan
fully supports the announcement of the Quartet-endorsed Roadmap
leading to the implementation of US President George W. Bush's
Vision. Furthermore,
Jordan believes the roadmap will constitute an integral part of
international legitimacy and will assume a status that is binding
upon all. Jordan stresses that the road map ought to be accepted in
its totality or rejected in its totality. Neither party could pick
and choose elements of the road map and reject others.
Jordan
is content that the road map extends beyond the Palestinian-Israeli
track and aspires to achieve a comprehensive solution on the Syrian
and Lebanese-Israeli tracks too by mid 2005.
Jordan
believes that the US role is crucial and indispensable in
complementing and sustaining the efforts of Arab states in order to
end the violence and to move towards negotiations. Arab
states depend on the US support and commitment to implement the
vision for peace between Israelis and Palestinians and to
supplement their efforts in this regard.
Jordan
firmly supports the Roadmap, owing to the fact that it contains, as
far as Jordan is concerned, three cardinal principles that are:
1- The adoption by the Roadmap of the Arab Peace
Initiative as one of the basis of a final solution, which means
a recognition of the principle and objective of achieving
comprehensive settlement on all Arab-Israeli negotiating tracks and
the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the basis
of the 1967 borders.
2- The inclusion in the Roadmap of a clear time
frame of three years for the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state.
3- Its inclusion of a mechanism for monitoring and
assessment. Such a mechanism would guarantee that the
reciprocal obligations are met within the allocated time, and the
Quartet has set up a multi-layered specific mechanism for this
purpose.
Jordan
insists on the complete application of this roadmap to become the
basis of a framework for Middle East peace. It is essential that
all parties concerned respect their commitments with regard to the
roadmap with no amendments until the end of Israeli occupation and
the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in three
years.
Jordan
supports the transformation of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
and supports the new Palestinian
government led by Prime Minister Ahmed Queri, known as Abu Ala’a.
Jordan considers the new premier to be the right person who would
be able to contribute to directing the Peace Process towards the
right path in accordance with the phases spelled out in the
roadmap.
Jordan
stresses that the new Palestinian government would not be able to
accomplish its mission without the assistance of Arab states, the
international community, the United States, and namely the Israeli
government who needs to adopt a more constructive policy that would
assist in achieving our objectives.
During His Majesty King Abdullah II's remarks
at the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center - University of
Mississippi on February 3, 2006, His Majesty King Abdullah
stressed that "the Palestinian elections last week were an
important step in the history of the Palestinian people. We have
to respect their choice. For years, the Palestinian people have
expressed their desire for peace, and their respect for the
legitimacy of international resolutions. Both peoples,
Palestinian and Israeli, are fed up with violence. They want and
deserve a future of hope. So it is now vital for the parties to
return rapidly to the negotiation table – and equally vital for
the international community to continue their support.
Establishing a viable, sovereign Palestinian state, alongside a
secure Israel, is the only way to put an end to violence and
extremism. This two-state solution was presented in the Arab
peace proposal in 2002, and is supported by the international
community, and forms the basis of the Roadmap peace process. The
next two years are critical. Peace needs our full efforts."
[see
full text]
During a speech in the World Affairs Council
of Northern California Commonwealth Club of San Francisco on
Dec. 11, 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah stressed that "for
the peace process to succeed, it must win trust on the ground.
That demands visible, timely results. All of you know how much
business benefits from performance benchmarks, milestones, and
real accountability. Well, we who seek peace need to mean
business. This is why the roadmap insists on, must insist on,
measurable, concrete results, leading to a final settlement in a
specific time-frame." [see
full text]
In an article written by Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs and
Government Performance Dr. Marwan Muasher on Oct. 26, 2004:
"The roadmap remains the only acceptable solution to all
parties, despite its many questions and shortcomings, in
addition to which it explains our public criticism of the
Palestinian National Authority or Israel whenever we felt that
either side was not seriously working towards the objective of a
final settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict based on a
two-state solution." [see
full text]
During the 59th Session of the UN General
Assembly on September 27, 2004, Foreign Minister Marwan
Muasher's stated that "there is a real need to develop an
effective monitoring mechanism operated by the Quartet in order
to ensure that all parties meet their mutual obligations and to
ascertain scrupulous implementation by the two sides of the Road
Map towards a successful political process. Here, I wish to pay
tribute to the Quartet for its persistent efforts to maintain
the momentum of the peace process." [see
full text]
During an interview by Al-Arabiyya TV on
August 3, 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah stressed that
"Jordan's position is clear and declared. It is based upon the
Road map, and the commitment of the Israeli and Palestinian
sides towards the execution of its provisions on the ground.
This path is the right path to reach a final and lasting
settlement. We have always affirmed that withdrawal from Gaza,
must and should be within the frame of the Road map and not
instead of it." [see
full text]
On May 6th 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah said during a
media availability with US President George Bush: "I'd like
to outline the Jordanian position on the peace process,
particularly the view of recent developments. We feel that any
unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank should
be part of the road map and should lead to the achievement of
your vision of a two-state solution. Let me stress that a
viable, sovereign and independent Palestinian state on the basis
of the 1967 borders is also in Jordan's national interests.
Failing to achieve such an outcome would invoke other options,
all of which will endanger my country's interests and that of
the region."
His Majesty also added that "Jordan is ready to do its part
in assisting the Palestinian Authority to rebuild its capability
and assume full control of the security situation. Jordan stands
shoulder to shoulder with the United States and the
international community in our common fight against terrorism.
We cannot allow the terrorists' political agenda to succeed, and
we assure you that Jordan will continue to do its utmost to help
win this cause." [see
full text]
During His Majesty's opening remarks at the World Economic Forum
on May 15, 2004, he stressed the importance to have the active
support of the international community for regional justice and
peace which "must include peace and security for Israelis and
Palestinians, and the creation of an independent Palestine."
[see
full text]
His Majesty also added that "the future of Israel is not to
the Jordan River or to the Golan Heights up in the northeast
area, or to the (inaudible) with the Egyptians. The future of
the Israelis is peace integrated into the region. And other
words, from Morocco on the Atlantic to (inaudible) That is the
part that the Israelis have. But to be able to do that, you have
to have a Palestinian state." [see
full text]
"We must bring justice for the Palestinians. We must offer
security for the Israelis. We must take action for change,"
remarked by His Majesty during the closing address at the WEF on
May 17, 2004. [see
full text]
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Jordan rejects Israel’s occupation of Palestinian
territories and its efforts to undermine the Palestinian Authority.
Jordan believes that the Israeli militarization of the conflict
will only aggravate the crisis and will not produce a solution that
could stop the Palestinian and Israeli population from becoming
increasingly entrenched in a cycle of hatred. Israel’s policy of
reprisal and its offensive on the Palestinian population and
neighboring states only strengthen the hand of extremists at the
expense of the moderate majority that has been put on the
defensive.
Jordan
strongly denounces and totally rejects the killing of innocent
Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Jordan also believes that Israel
should be equally held to its responsibilities in moving to end the
current violence and in alleviating the human suffering of the
Palestinian population.
The Arab
Peace Initiative
The
Arab Summit in Beirut offered a collective commitment to an end of
the decades old conflict through a collective peace treaty that
guarantees Israel’s security as well as normal peace relations
with all Arab states. This initiative complements US efforts on the
ground and brings a political vision and a finality to decades of
Arab-Israeli conflict by outlining clearly the parameters of this
conflict that need to be resolved in final negotiations. The Beirut
summit is a landmark gathering in which the highest possible forum
of Arab leaders addressed the Israeli government, and more
importantly the Israeli people, with a united consensus message for
total, comprehensive and historic peace that would not only
guarantee security for the people of Israel by all Arab states, but
also normalcy and peaceful coexistence in the region. After all,
the Middle East is too confined geographically and too interlinked
politically to support partial solutions to deeply rooted problems.
During the 16th Arab Summit held
in Tunis on May 23, 2004, Jordan reiterates its commitment
to the Arab Peace Initiative. The solution calls for Israeli
withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands, the establishment of a
Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, and a fair
agreed solution to the refugee problem based upon UN Resolution
194, in return for collective security guarantees by all Arab
states in the region to Israel, signing of a peace treaty, and
normalization of relations between all Arab countries and
Israel. Accordingly, we must stress the need for Israel to
declare its unconditional commitment to the roadmap, including
the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as stated
in the stipulations of the third phase of the roadmap.
During the 59th
Session of the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2004,
Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher's stated that "the agreement
would also create a framework for an agreed solution of the
Palestinian refugees problem on the basis of United Nations
General Assembly resolution 194, in return for full Israeli
withdrawal from the Arab territories occupied in 1967 and the
establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable
Palestinian state." [see
full text]
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Aqaba
Summit
Jordan
had hosted a summit in the city of Aqaba on June 4, 2003 that
brought together for the first time US President George Bush and
Palestinian and Israeli premiers Mahmoud Abbas and Ariel Sharon for
talks on the internationally backed roadmap to Middle East
peace.
During the summit, His Majesty stressed that the Palestine question
remains the core cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict. His Majesty
also stressed the importance of ongoing peace efforts to reach a
durable settlement for the conflict.
King
Abdullah stated that the roadmap "addresses the needs of
both Palestinians and Israelis. To the Israelis, this plan offers
collective security guarantees by all Arabs, a peace treaty and
normal relations with Arab States, and an end to the conflict. To
the Palestinians, it offers an end to the occupation, a viable
state, and the promise to live as a free and prosperous people."
[see
full text]
His
Majesty emphasized the importance of the US commitment in advancing
the peace process forward and in supporting both Israelis and
Palestinians to uptake their obligations as outlined in the
roadmap. King Abdullah also voiced appreciation of US President
George W. Bush's efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the
Arab-Israeli conflict.
" I think the commitment of the president of the United
States to come all the way to the Middle East, Sharm el-Sheikh,
today in Aqaba, to commit himself fully to supporting the
Israeli/Palestinian process and finding a true peace, I hope, shows
a lot of people in this area that he does have a balanced approach,
and the same commitment that he had for removing of Saddam, I think
you'll see the same energy he will have in bringing justice to the
Palestinians," HM King Abdullah stated. [see
full text]
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Geneva Accord
Jordan supports the
Geneva
Accord, an effort by former Palestinians and Israeli officials,
which have resulted in a full agreement on all issues pertaining to
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Jordan regards the Geneva Accord
as complimentary to the roadmap and not as an alternative to it.
His Majesty King Abdullah stated that any
initiative that “complements the peace process, that tries to
move the process forward -- and the principles in the Geneva accord
are actually in line with the road map -- can only be a positive
thing.” [see
full text]
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The
United States
Administration
Jordan trusts the commitment of the United States Administration
especially that of President George Bush as illustrated best by
his commitment to come all the way to the Middle East and
participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba Summits.
Jordan believes that there is a newfound sense of energy from
the US administration on Middle East peacemaking and the
determination of the Administration and the President to commit
fully to supporting the Israeli-Palestinian process and finding
a true peace; yet, the seriousness of such commitment and
involvement would be judged on whether the United States is
prepared to put pressure on Israel as well as the Palestinians.
The role of the United States is critical and indispensable in
complementing and sustaining the efforts of Arab states towards
achieving an end to violence and movement towards political
talks especially when there is compelling evidence that without
sustained and active American leadership, the situation on the
ground in the Palestinian Occupied Territories will continue to
deteriorate.
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The Palestinian National Authority
The
Palestinian Authority and its legitimate leadership is the only
partner with which Israel can reach a final settlement.
The
legitimate leadership of the Palestinians can only be determined by
the Palestinian people themselves. Jordan supports the free will of
the Palestinian people in determining its leadership. Jordan
believes this matter should not be conditioned on individuals but
subject to the will of the Palestinian population. Jordan therefore
recognizes the current Palestinian Authority with Chairman Arafat
as the legitimately elected representative of the Palestinian
people. Jordan is fully supportive of Palestinian reform efforts
that would constitute an important asset towards establishing a
Palestinian state and welcomes the Palestinian desire to hold
elections once Israeli troops withdraw from territories occupied
after September 28th 2000.
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Settlements
Jordan firmly supports the immediate and full freeze of all Israeli settlement
activity, including the “natural growth” of existing settlements. A continuation of such activity in any fashion, manner and way would hinder the
prospects for the emergence of a viable Palestinian state, thus threatening the prospects of a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In
addition to that, Israeli settlements place intolerable burdens on Palestinian movement and development while depriving the Palestinian people of important
land and water resources.
Jordan views all settlement activity in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as
illegal and in contravention of International Humanitarian Law and Fourth Geneva Convention. Moreover, Jordan views the issue of Israeli settlements as one of
the main issues hampering the development of peaceful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Jordan believes that sustaining pre-existing settlements will have serious negative implications not only for the Palestinians, but for Israel, as well. Jordan is
firm in its belief that Palestinians have the right to a viable state and to self-determination. However, there is no prospect for a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza without the abandonment of most Israeli settlements.
Jordan also views settlements as harmful to Israel. If settlements are not dismantled, Israel will face increased difficulty in guaranteeing its own security.
Furthermore, demographers estimate that the Arab population in Israel and the territories will exceed the Jewish population by 2020. Therefore, Israel's
dismantling of its settlements is of utmost importance if Israel is to preserve its Jewish character and democratic nature, through giving way for the creation
of an independent and viable Palestinian state.
As a country heavily involved and genuinely interested in brokering a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, Jordan strongly urges Israel to dismantle
its settlements and allow for the proper implementation of the Roadmap as a step towards a just, peaceful and comprehensive solution.
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Suicide Bombings
Jordan, from a political and moral point of view, stands against targeting Israeli civilians
and concurs with the need to address the whole spectrum of security issues.
At the same time, Jordan maintains that the only viable course for addressing the Palestinian-Israeli question lies in the resumption of the peace
process as a whole from the point where it stalled and within the agreed frameworks established on the basis of complete Israeli withdrawals from all
Arab territories occupied in 1967, including the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories; the establishment of the independent Palestinian state
with East Jerusalem as its capital, pursuant to relevant Security Council resolutions, especially 242,
338
, 425 and
United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1397.
Jordan condemned and continues to condemn these suicide bombings as morally and politically wrong.
But the only response Jordan received from the Israeli side was draconian measures such as seizure of Palestinian land and deliberate delays to vital
humanitarian relief efforts; measures that did not help improve Israeli security. Security cannot be used as the pretext for depriving millions of
Palestinians from getting essential food and medical services. Israel has to realize that its approach is completely irrational as it transpires in excessive
use of force, which in turn fuels and deepens hatred and replenishes the wellspring of violence.
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Implications
for Jordan
The
continuation of the current situation will have dangerous regional
implications that will undermine previous accomplishments.
The
dangers of escalation of violence in Palestinian territories are
not limited to Jordanian-Israeli bilateral relations but also
extends to Jordan’s domestic and national interests. The
combination of poverty as well as frustration among Palestinian
refugees could lead to increased radicalism. This can be applied to
many other Arab states across the region.
Jordan
hosts the largest number of Palestinian refugees outside
Palestinian territories (more than 1.57 million Palestinian
refugees living in Jordan were registered with UNRWA in 2001 out of
a population of approximately 5 million Jordanians). The high
number of Jordanians of Palestinian origin whose relatives live and
suffer in the Palestinian territories makes Jordan particularly
susceptible to the daily events and tragedies that occur in these
territories. The historic, social and political relationship that
has strongly bound Palestinians and Jordanians places the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict at the top of Jordan’s political
priorities as one of its most critical national interests. This
situation underlines the urgency and absolute necessity for the
Kingdom to be fully and aggressively engaged in the pursuit of a
peaceful settlement to the Palestinian problem as it had throughout
more than five decades since its independence.
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Syria and Lebanon
Jordan maintains that the only
viable course for addressing the Palestinian-Israeli question
lies in the resumption of the peace process as a whole from the
point where it stalled and within the agreed frameworks
established on the basis of complete Israeli withdrawals from
all Arab territories occupied in 1967, including the
Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories; the establishment
of the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its
capital, pursuant to relevant Security Council resolutions,
especially 242, 338, 425 and United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1397.
Jordan will exert every possible effort to resume the Peace
Process in a comprehensive manner, including Syrian and Lebanese
Tracks and on the basis of the Roadmap and its terms of
reference and the Arab Peace Initiative, with the objective of
creating an atmosphere of peace and stability in the Region.
Jordan believes that all United Nations Security Council
Resolutions, including 1559, are binding and should be
implemented.
Jordan welcomes the recent parliamentary election in Lebanon and
supports the will and choice of the Lebanese People.
On November 19, 2007, Jordan and Syria issued a
joint statement following the
summit meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and Syrian
President Bashar Assad.
On October 31, 2005, Jordan
called on Syria to cooperate with the United Nations in an
investigation into the killing of Lebanon's former prime
minister Rafiq Hariri.
Jordan "believes in the importance of the cooperation of all
countries... until the truth [over Hariri's killing] is
revealed," Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson
Marwan Muasher told reporters.
Dr. Muasher said the Kingdom "hopes that the repercussions of
the Mehlis Report wouldn't culminate in a confrontation which
will neither serve the region nor its stability."
Chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis released his report in late
October, implicating top Syrian and Lebanese security officials
in the Beirut bombing that killed Hariri and 20 others.
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Refugees
The refugee problem, a vital Jordanian concern and interest, is
considered as one of the country's most important issues in the
final status negotiations. Jordan hosts 41% of Palestinian
Refugees and 90% of Displaced Persons (DPs).
A vast majority of refugees and DPs are Jordanian citizens who
retain historic rights in Palestine. The Jordanian citizenship
was granted to those refugees and DPs as a result of the
Declaration of Unity between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and
the West Bank in 1950.
Nevertheless, the Jordanian citizenship does not annul or reduce
the rights of refugees in their homeland. Jordanian citizenship
was not imposed on refugees, and was never granted in return for
forfeiting their rights as refugees.
Jordan recognizes the refugee issue as a final status matter
that is to be negotiated between the Palestinians and Israelis.
However, Jordan's legal standing, interests and legitimate
concerns should not be ignored. Jordan cannot be expected to
consent to unacceptable solutions on Refugees and DPs, nor to
enforce such solutions on its citizenship and must therefore
have a central role in the political and economic settlement of
this problem which should recognize the right of refugees and
DPs in Jordan to return and be adequately compensated.
Jordan has shouldered huge economic burdens as a result of the
refugee problem and its absorptive capacity has been exhausted.
Therefore, Jordan will not allow for any additional numbers of
refugees to be added to the existing numbers and will not grant
nationality to any new refugees.
Refugees/ More illustrated:
The Rights of Refugees:
Refugees who have the Jordanian citizenship expect the State to
protect their basic right of return and compensation in
accordance with international law. Jordan has the legal capacity
to negotiate their rights as per Article (8) of the
Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty which committed both sides to
seek a solution to the refugees problem "in negotiations, in a
framework to be agreed upon, bilateral or other agreements in
conjunction with and at the same time as the permanent status
negotiations," and in the Multilateral Working Group on
Refugees.
The Right of Return:
Jordan's position is based on U.N. resolutions, specifically
resolution 194 which calls for the return of refugees to their
homes and their compensation. Accordingly, establishing the
right of return is the basic element to solving the problem and
constitutes a very important psychological factor for the
individual refugee.
Establishing the principle of the right of return will allow
refugees to exercise their freedom of choice: whether to return
or to remain where they have already settled in the last fifty
years.
Individual Compensation:
Compensations should be paid to the refugees for the loss and
damage of movable and immovable property, and for loss of
domicile. It should also include compensation for the suffering
and emotional and psychological harm incurred regardless of
whether they choose to return or not.
The Rights of Displaced Persons:
Displaced persons have a strong case to return according to UNSC
Resolution 237, which calls on Israel to facilitate their
return. Furthermore, article (8) of The Jordanian-Israeli Peace
Treaty provides for the resolution of the DPs problem in
accordance with international law.
Such a solution should be reached within appropriate forums,
including but not limited to, the Quadripartite Committee on
Displaced Persons, which includes Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the
Palestinians.
DPs right to return also has a legal base under international
law principles, which hold these States responsible for
committing injurious acts against them. These displaced persons
are expected to return to the West Bank and Gaza, i.e. to the
future Palestinian State.
State Compensation:
Jordan will seek compensation for the actual cost incurred for
hosting Palestinian refugees since 1948 and DPs since 1967,
taking into consideration the cost of services, loss in
agricultural land, cost of infrastructure, depleted resources,
collectively owned enterprises, and civil institutions.
Refugee camps should be removed, and in order to rehabilitate
and integrate refugees who choose to remain in Jordan, the costs
must include land, housing, infrastructure, and the needed human
and economic development programs. The full integration of
Palestinian refugees necessitates the elimination of all poverty
areas in the country, which include but are not limited to
refugee camps.
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