Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets of Amman on Friday, urging King Abdullah II to intervene and call for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The protesters, numbering around 5,000, gathered outside a mosque near the Israeli Embassy in Amman, waving Jordanian and Palestinian flags. They criticized the peace agreement signed between Jordan and Israel in 1994, calling it a “shameful surrender” and demanding its nullification.
The demonstration coincided with the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to Jordan. Blinken was scheduled to discuss the Gaza war with his Jordanian counterpart, focusing on finding ways to end Israel’s military action in the region. The office of Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated that the discussions would also address the “catastrophic conditions in Gaza.”
Jordan, which became the second Arab state to establish diplomatic relations with Israel after Egypt in 1979, has a population of over 2 million Palestinian refugees. However, the recent escalation of violence in Gaza has sparked widespread anger among Jordanians, leading to several large protests demanding the annulment of the peace treaty with Israel and the closure of the Israeli Embassy.
In response to the conflict, Jordan announced that it would recall its ambassador to Israel immediately as a form of protest. This is not the first time Jordan has taken such action, as it previously recalled its ambassador in 2019. The decision was met with regret from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which expressed disappointment over Jordan’s move.
The protests in Amman were heavily guarded by Jordanian security forces, ensuring that the demonstrations remained peaceful. Similar rallies took place in other cities across Jordan, including Irbid and Zarqa. In central Amman, another gathering of approximately 1,500 protesters occurred outside a prominent mosque. They chanted slogans in support of the Palestinian “resistance” and condemned Arab countries’ normalization of relations with Israel.
The demonstrators at the rallies called on King Abdullah II to utilize Jordan’s peace agreement with Israel as leverage to halt the aggression against Gaza. They believe that the king has the power to influence the situation and protect the Palestinian people from further harm. The protesters emphasized their solidarity with the Palestinians and their desire for an immediate end to the violence.
As Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Jordan, he was met with expectations from the Jordanian government and the protesters to address the dire conditions in Gaza and work towards a ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and destruction in Gaza, prompting urgent international efforts to de-escalate the situation.
The demonstrations in Jordan reflect the deep-rooted support for the Palestinian cause among its population. Jordan’s history and close proximity to Palestine have made it a key player in regional peace efforts. The country’s leadership faces the challenge of balancing its commitment to peace agreements with Israel while addressing the concerns and demands of its citizens.
The visit of Secretary Blinken to Jordan presents an opportunity for diplomatic discussions and collaboration to find a resolution to the conflict. The international community is closely watching these developments, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring an end to the suffering in Gaza and pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.
In conclusion, thousands of Jordanians gathered in Amman to call on King Abdullah II to intervene and demand a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The protests reflect the deep concern and solidarity among Jordanians for the Palestinian people. As Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Jordan, expectations were high for meaningful discussions on ending the violence and addressing the dire conditions in Gaza. The international community hopes for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to the region.
Saturday, November 4, 2023