Jordan Times
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Obama marks Jordan-Israel peace deal as reminder of hope
AMMAN (JT) - US President Barack Obama has
said the peace treaty signed 15 years ago between Jordan and Israel is a
reminder that peace is always possible, despite obstacles that may seem
impossible to overcome, the Associated Press reported from Washington.
Obama said Monday that as he and other administration officials work to restart
stalled peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis, they are inspired by what
Jordan and Israel achieved 15 years ago, "knowing that the destination is worthy
of the struggle".
His Majesty the late King Hussein and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
signed the treaty in 1994 in Wadi Araba near the Jordanian-Israeli border. The
Kingdom was the second Arab country to make peace with Israel after Egypt, which
signed the Camp David Accords in 1978.
The Kingdom's relations with Israel have come under stress recently after
repeated violations by Israeli forces of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, which
remain under Jordanian supervision per the terms of the treaty.
Opposition groups in the Kingdom have voiced dissatisfaction with the treaty and
have repeatedly called on the government to revoke it.
Marking the treaty's 15th anniversary on Monday, senior opposition leaders said
the treaty has produced few if any benefits for Jordan and has legitimised
illegal acts by Israel.