Alerts

Jordan Challenges Israel on Land-Lease Agreement

Israel has been a vital asset for Jordan
Share this
Prime Minister's Benjamin Netanyahu visit in Washington to start Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. In the photo: King of Jordan Abdullah II Hussein and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (GPO)

Table of Contents

Under a blistering sun back in 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan, along with U.S. President Bill Clinton’s support and watchful eye, signed the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in the Arava valley of Israel, north of Eilat and near the Jordanian border. It was an act undertaken by giants. As a reporter there, I sat for hours and watched them moved by their desire for peace while pondering how they could resist the blazing sun without a hat on their heads.

The two leaders also agreed to a special arrangement in relation to land parcels near the border, which King Hussein decided to lease to Israel until 2019 in order for them to cultivate. Next year, these were due for automatic renewal. The terms of this agreement state that 25 years after the initial signing, each party had the option of discontinuing the lease of the land, provided that it was done one year in advance, i.e., on Oct, 26, 2018.

Today, avocados and olives are produced on that land. Israeli farmers come from the kibbutzim every morning to cultivate these crops and others. A stone arch with images of King Hussein and his son, Abdullah, Jordan’s current king, mark one area — the Island of Peace in Naharayim. However, this is also the memorial site in memory of seven Israeli girls who were killed by a Jordanian soldier while on a field trip there in March 1997. King Hussein of Jordan personally went to Israel to extend his condolences, kneeling before the parents of the seven Israeli girls killed and asked their forgiveness in the name of his country. This is the kind of gesture that is taken when peace is sincerely desired.

Yet Jordan’s current king, Abdullah II, doesn’t seem to muster the same sensitivity. He has announced with much fanfare that part of the treaty shall be repealed, that Jordan will not give its land to anyone, and that he chooses to protects his country’s interests, doing “whatever is required for Jordan and the Jordanians.” Did something happen? No. It’s a mistaken and hypernationalistic sentence because no one is putting that into question. His decision is applauded by his people — about 75 percent of them Palestinian — who are beset by Islamist threats, invaded by Syrian refugees, suffering because of an impoverished economy, and therefore ready at any chance they get to accuse the monarchy of ignoring the Palestinian cause.

The land in question isn’t important in and of itself, but it’s a symbol of peace with Israel. This, for the sake of consensus, explains why King Abdullah II is willing to sacrifice a part of 1994 peace deal: the economic crisis, rising unemployment, protests against inflation. They all go together with anti-Israeli incitement and disseminating prejudices, always a useful reserve card for every Arab leader. Attack Israel or pretend to, and find consent.

So why isn’t Israel worried? Because it supplies water to Jordan. Soon, a pipeline will transfer $10 billion worth of natural gas from Israel to Jordan, and a whole series of financial benefits will flow to that country, as well as the advantageous image of stability it has thanks to the support of the U.S. administration. Indeed, Jordan can benefit from a certain guarantee: If Israel is committed to compensating the king adequately (and it will), things can reasonably be settled, and the agreement can be renewed.

But let’s not underestimate Mideast surprises. It may well be that—in light of the various hypotheses circulating in relation to U.S President Donald Trump’s mysterious peace plan — the Jordanian-Palestinian solution is something that King Abdullah II is defending against by creating a situation of impracticable general tension. If that’s the case, then he could even abandon agreements with Israel. This, of course, would go against all logic, peace, and overall wellbeing of his people.

Jordan has always been a vital partner for Israel, but equally Israel has been a vital asset for Jordan.

A version of this article appeared on JNS on October 23, 2018.

Dr. Fiamma Nirenstein

Dr. Fiamma Nirenstein, the Israel Foreign Ministry’s Special Advisor for Combating Antisemitism, is a Senior Fellow of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. She was a member of the Italian Parliament (2008-2013) where she served as Vice President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Chamber of Deputies, served in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and established and chaired the Committee for the Inquiry into Anti-Semitism. A founding member of the international Friends of Israel Initiative, she is the author of 13 books, including Israel Is Us (2009). She is a Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.
Share this

Invest in JCFA

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close