Alerts

Unrest in Jordan over the Coronavirus and the Economic Crisis

Demonstrators reject half-measures like firing the civilian government
Share this
Anti-government demonstrations in Jordan on March 13, 2021
Anti-government demonstrations in Jordan on March 13, 2021. (Arab press)

Table of Contents

Demonstrations continue throughout Jordan against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, rising unemployment, and severe economic crisis.

The demonstrators’ protests against King Abdullah II threaten the stability of the Kingdom. Jordan urgently needs health and economic assistance.

The tensions and outrage in Jordan followed the cancellation of Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah’s visit to the Temple Mount on March 10, 2021, and news of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plane being barred from flying in Jordanian airspace. But the emotions were replaced by angry demonstrations against the government and the Jordanian royal household over the coronavirus crisis, unemployment rising to about 30 percent, and the severe economic crisis.

In Jordan, large demonstrations have been continuing since March 13, 2021, during which there were also protests against King Abdullah II. The most vigorous demonstrations were in the area of Tafaileh, east of the capital Amman, Irbid, and in the area of Ziban, 70 km south of Amman. Jordanian security officials detained dozens of demonstrators.

The protests erupted following a tragedy at the New Public Hospital in Salt, where at least seven patients in the hospital died after their oxygen supply stopped for two hours. King Abdullah ordered the firing of Health Minister Nazir Obeidat, a medical professor. The King visited the hospital and instructed the hospital director to submit his resignation.

King Abdullah II confronts the director of the hospital in Salt, Jordan
King Abdullah II confronts the director of the hospital in Salt, Jordan. (Al Arabiya screen shot)

Jordanian police arrested five hospital employees who will be charged with causing seven deaths. The Jordanian government convened to discuss the disaster at the hospital and announced that it would punish those responsible for the tragedy.

Coronavirus Hits Jordan Hard

Jordan cannot cope with the coronavirus crisis despite the measures it has taken that included a general and night curfew. The number of people infected is increasing. As a result of the worsening pandemic, the economy and the education system have entirely shut down.

Jordan received 144,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, but they are not enough to deal with the rapidly-spreading British coronavirus mutation in the Kingdom. Seventy percent of those infected were hit by the British variant.

The daily number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 8,000 cases per day. The number of deaths from the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic has reached 5,285 people, and so far, about 505,000 people have been infected with the virus.1

Even before the coronavirus crisis, Jordan was in a difficult economic situation, dealing with more than one million new refugees from Syria. Jordan received no financial aid from Saudi Arabia, and the International Monetary Fund demanded that it carry out reforms as a condition for receiving loans.

In mid-2018, there were large demonstrations in Jordan against the government’s intention to impose new taxes, and Prime Minister Hani Mulki’s government was forced to resign.

The Jordanian public seems to be fed up with Abdullah’s method of replacing government and ministers whenever the economic situation worsens to alleviate the unrest. The public wants a deep-rooted solution to its problems, and now criticism is directed at the Jordanian Royal House.

How the Virus Invades Jordan

At first, the Jordanian regime managed the coronavirus crisis with a steady hand. There was strict enforcement of the guidelines to prevent the spread of the pandemic throughout the Kingdom. However, a year after the pandemic outbreak, the regime is struggling with its effects and the worsening economic crisis.

A principal reason for the increased spread of coronavirus in Jordan is the government’s failure to close its land borders with Syria and Iraq. The truck drivers who enter Jordan daily, without tests, spread the virus within the Kingdom.

Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh, who was appointed to office last October, has been unable to contain the epidemic. The ongoing demonstrations are transforming into protests against the Jordanian monarchy, and this dangerous situation could destabilize the government in Jordan.  The Hashemite monarchy urgently needs external assistance to deal with the medical and economic crisis.

* * *

Note

Yoni Ben Menachem

Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Share this

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