- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that any attempt to forcibly expel Palestinians into Jordan would be considered an act of war.
- Jordan's position is influenced by its 1994 peace treaty with Israel and the historical precedent set during the 1967 Six-Day War. The kingdom is particularly concerned about the violation of this treaty.
- Jordan, already burdened with millions of Palestinian refugees, is wary of the economic and demographic consequences of accepting more refugees, which could destabilize the country.
- U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to have Jordan and Egypt absorb Palestinians from Gaza has been met with strong opposition from Amman, other Arab states and critics in the U.S. who view it as a form of ethnic cleansing.
- The situation has raised fears of another regional conflict, with Jordan's warning echoing the tensions that led to the 1967 Six-Day War.
As Israel's forced displacement and
genocide of the Palestinian people continues, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has issued a stark warning: Any attempt by Israel to forcibly expel Palestinians into Jordan
would be considered an act of war.
Amman's stance is rooted in both historical precedent and existential concerns. The kingdom, which shares a 400-kilometer (248-mile) border with Tel Aviv, has made it clear that it views the forced displacement of Palestinians as a gross violation of its 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
"If the Israelis seek to re-open [the border], that would be a casus belli," a source told
Middle East Eye (MEE). While Jordan acknowledges its military inferiority to Israel, it believes it would have no choice but to fight over fears that an influx of refugees would destabilize its already fragile demographic and economic balance.
The immediate trigger for Amman's warning is
U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated suggestion that
Jordan and Egypt should absorb Palestinians from Gaza as part of a plan to "clean out" the Strip. It also underscores the fragility of the region's peace and the high stakes of Trump's controversial proposal. "I'd love you to take on more," Trump reportedly told Jordanian King Abdullah II during a recent meeting.
This proposal has been met with fierce resistance from Jordan and other Arab states. The Hashemite monarch has called the issue of refugees a "red line," while Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi rejected any discussion of an "alternate homeland" for Palestinians.
Aside from the suggestion to make Jordan absorb Palestinian refugees, the real estate mogul's vision for Gaza – which includes turning it into a "Riviera" and relocating its population – has drawn sharp criticism from across the region and beyond. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have all rejected any forcible displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing their support for a two-state solution. At home, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) dubbed Trump's plan "ethnic cleansing by another name." (Related:
Egypt rejects U.S. proposal to displace Palestinians, calling it an "act of injustice.")
The Six-Day War legacy: Amman's warning and the threat of regional conflict
This is not the first time Amman and Tel Aviv crossed swords.
The 1967 Six-Day War saw Israel defeat a coalition of Arab forces – including Jordan, Egypt and Syria – in a matter of days. As a result of this conflict, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. While this conflict from almost 60 years ago reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Amman's current warning evokes memories of that war and raises fears of another regional conflagration.
Trump appears undeterred despite the backlash. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Feb. 4, he suggested that "really rich" nations could provide land for Palestinians to build new lives. These new tracts of land for the Palestinian people would be so attractive that they would not want to return to their homeland, Trump added.
Netanyahu praised Trump's "higher level" thinking, calling it a potential game-changer for the region. But
Georgetown University scholar Khaled Elgindy pointed out that Trump's ideas reflect a real estate developer's mindset rather than a nuanced understanding of the region's complexities. "He clearly did not talk to any Palestinians in coming up with these ideas," Elgindy said.
The situation is further complicated by Trump’s decision to cut U.S. aid to Jordan, raising fears that he may condition its restoration on Amman's acceptance of Palestinian refugees. Such a move would exacerbate the kingdom's economic challenges and
risk reigniting internal strife. The country, already home to millions of Palestinian refugees, fears a repeat of the 1970 Black September conflict – in which tensions between the Hashemite monarchy and Palestinian factions erupted into violence.
As the crisis deepens, the specter of war looms large. Jordan's warning is a reminder that the forced displacement of Palestinians is not just a humanitarian issue but a potential flashpoint for broader conflict. The echoes of 1967 serve as a sobering reminder of
the consequences of miscalculation in a region where history has a way of repeating itself.
Watch Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi arguing that
Israel "has the occupying power" in this clip.
This video is from the
alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
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Israel rewards Jordan with year-long extension of WATER AGREEMENT for helping shoot down Iranian drones.
Netanyahu says Israel will maintain "indefinite security control" over Gaza – Palestinians will forever be held as POWs in a concentration camp.
Sources include:
MiddleEastEye.net
MSN.com
Britannica.com
Brighteon.com