Inappropriate Undiplomatic Language From Across the Jordan

Reported (and also here):-

The Jordanian government condemned the statements of the legal advisor of the Israeli government in which he claimed that the Aqsa Mosque “is an integral part of the territory of Israel.”  Minister Samih Maaytah, the government spokesman, rejected “any Zionist attempts to impose control over the Islamic sanctities and the Aqsa Mosque and to put pressure on Jordan’s role in protecting it.”

Maaytah warned that “Such provocative remarks may lead to a religious conflict in the region, especially at this particular time, during which Jerusalem is witnessing extensive Judaizing operations in an attempt to falsify its history and religious, cultural, and humanitarian heritage....The Jordanian government considers such statements as extremely serious as they are threatening to transform the conflict over the occupied territories to a religious irresolvable conflict”, added the spokesman.

He stated that his government views these statements as a blatant defiance to the Jordanian role in protecting and conserving the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem, and holds the Israeli government fully responsible for any future breaches.

Now, while Jordan was awarded, through the 1994 Peace Treaty a special status, it is mutual.

According to ARTICLE 9: PLACES OF HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE,

"Each party will provide freedom of access to places of religious and historical significance.  In this regard, in accordance with the Washington Declaration, Israel respects the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Muslim Holy shrines in Jerusalem. When negotiations on the permanent status will take place, Israel will give high priority to the Jordanian historic role in these shrines.  The Parties will act together to promote interfaith relations among the three monotheistic religions, with the aim of working towards religious understanding, moral commitment, freedom of religious worship, and tolerance and peace."

Some of the language the Minister employs above is, frankly, undiplomatic and quite unnecessarily provocative and inappropriate.  Blatantly so.

He wouldn't appreciate me reminding him that his King's great-grandfather arrived in what was Transjordan only in November 1920 and that if it were not for huge sums of money expended by Gt. Britain, the Hashemites might never would have existed politically?

So, let's deal with the issues at hand: how can Israel and Jordan fulfill the terms of the Treaty and block inroads by the Waqf of the Palestinian Authority?


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