The two Kings: tête-à-tête

Jordan has never left itself without an Arab depth and back up. In 1956, it was Egypt, and in 1957 and 1958, it was Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In the 1970s it was the Arab Gulf states until 1988. Then, it was Iraq. In 1991, it was also Iraq and the Arab partners to the peace process. In 1992 and on, it was mostly the Arab Gulf states. In 1999, the Arab world stood up in support of Jordan’s new Kingdom under His Majesty King Abdullah.

Now, Jordan feels denied of such depth by all its neighbours. Yet, Iraq, Egypt and Morocco seem to be this new fallback support. In a way, King Abdullah’s recent declarations are pointing to his ardent search for an Arab support but within the three big nos, which he had spelled out on two occasions in March prior to his trips to Morocco, Italy and Tunisia, where the 30th Arab summit was held.

In addressing the people of Zarqa, he was clear about Jerusalem and the substitute homeland for Palestinians in Jordan, and on the historical Hashemite Custodianship of the Jerusalem Christian and Muslim holy shrines.

Zarqa was very much a symbolic choice. This town was the original place where the Arab Army was born. Moreover, it is the town that represents the fraternal bonds between Jordanians of both West Bank and East Bank origins. In addition, it is the host of the biggest industrial zone in Jordan.

A week later, His Majesty, attired in fatigue uniform, addressed a group of military officers, where he spoke with assertion mixed with suppressed anger that there would be no giving up on the Hashemite Custodianship of the Jerusalem holy sites. No acceptance of refugee resettlement in Jordan, and no to the notion of Jordan becoming the alternative homeland to the Palestinian people.

The King’s address was not symbolic this time, but iconic due to his military attire and to the audience he had chosen to address. In a nutshell, he said that he will not, under any circumstances, give up on these three issues, no matter what the cost may be.

What can Jordan do to deliver on these promises and positions? Well, Jordan can do all it can; from the use of its moral and goodwill position in the world to the possibility of facing a military threat.

There are many gradual steps in between that could be taken by Jordan if someone wanted to test Jordan’s resolve.

In his meeting with King Mohammad VI in Morocco, the two monarchs made it abundantly clear that they are not going to accept interference in their domestic or foreign policies anymore.

This evangelist alliance with Israel and its apocalyptic prophecies are the myths which belong to those who believe in them, but to use them as sorry excuses to rob other people’s rights and homes is not acceptable. Not by Jordan.