Jordanian king yesterday paid a sudden visit to Israel
Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/19/2004

Jordanian King Abdullah II yesterday paid a sudden visit to Israel that lasted for several hours during which he had met with the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in Negev, southern Israel before he returned back to his country.

The Israeli radio said that the King discussed with Sharon the Israeli plan to dismantle liaison with the Palestinians and the question of the apartheid separation wall built by Israel in the West Bank.

Jordanian political analysist Suleiman Kheir said in a press statement that this visit has not yet been confirmed by any Jordanian official source, noting that in case this news is confirmed true, it would be in the context of a vast Jordanian move at the Arab and international arenas in order to explain Amman's position concerning the Palestinian developments and its impact on the Jordanian security on the wake of the expected visit to be made by the Jordanian King to the USA.

He explained that the most important of these developments is the question of the separation wall built by Israel in the occupied territories which converts the life of the Palestinians into "hell", a matter which pushes them to emigrate to Jordan, and this is by its turn would create demographic disorder there.

He indicated that the other development is the separation plan with the Palestinians which is being carried out without consultation with the Palestinian authority and the security vacuum implied in Gaza and the obstruction of the foundation of a Palestinian state as stated in the roadmap.

Sharon had threatened to dismantle the liaison unilaterally with the Palestinians with his unilateral plan to withdraw the majority of the Jewish settlements in Gaza if the US- backed roadmap is failed provides for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.

Worthy mentioning that this is the first meeting held by Sharon with an Arab leader since the Middle East summit conference which was hosted by the Jordanian al-Aqaba city in 2003.

Previous Stories:
  Amman plays down its political significance: new bridge between Jordan and Israel   (3/10/2004)
  Jordan, Israel inaugurates an international center for research   (3/8/2004)
  Jordan seeks to abrogate an Israeli decision for expelling thousands of Palestinians   (2/23/2004)

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