Jordan Bans Israeli Envoy Until Embassy 'Killer' on Trial

Rasa - Reports said Jordan continues to refuse to allow Israel's ambassador to return to Amman unless the security guard who shot dead two Jordanians is investigated and tried.

News ID: 431725

Date: 16 August 2017 - 22:32

RNA - Jordan has remained steadfast in its refusal to allow Israel to return its ambassador to Amman unless an Israeli security guard involved in a shooting at the embassy last month is brought to trial, Albawaba reported.

Speaking to The Media Line, Yahya Al-Saud, head of the Palestine Committee in Jordan’s parliament and the person responsible for the Jerusalem file, confirmed that an order banning the Israeli ambassador in the absence of an initial investigation in Israel over the actions of the security guard, has been issued.

“And Jordan must be involved and kept aware of the proceedings,” he stressed.

Al-Saud’s statements come after Jordanian government officials were quoted by local media as saying that they had sent a letter to Jerusalem reiterating that Einat Schlein could not return to her post without “guarantees of a serious and thorough investigation of the embassy guard and the bringing of him to trial.”

The guard, Ziv Moyal, was allegedly stabbed by teenager Mohammed Jawawdeh on July 23, after which he opened fire, killing the attacker along with a Jordanian bystander. The incident sparked a diplomatic crisis.

In this respect, a Jordanian source told The Associated Press over the weekend that Netanyahu’s action had “damag[ed] bilateral relations and the regional acceptance Israel is seeking.”

Nevertheless, the incident prompted widespread condemnations from Jordanian citizens, who held mass demonstrations including outside the Israeli embassy where protesters chanted “Death to Israel.” At Jawawdah’s funeral, thousands of people gathered to urge Abdullah to cancel the 1994 peace treaty with Tel Aviv.

“I prefer to cut all relations with Israel,” Yahya Al-Saud said. “It is not about the latest incident. I don’t think it is important for us to have ties with Israel, period. Our relationship is like a five-star hotel, it only benefits the heads of the country and not the average person.”

The embassy incident occurred against the backdrop of recent tensions centered on the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex. Following the killing of two police officers at the compound on July 14, Israel installed metal detectors at the holy site, a move vehemently rejected by Muslims worldwide. Two weeks of upheaval ensued, leading Netanyahu to backtrack and remove the security measures.

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