Jordan: We’ve applied sovereignty to every inch of Naharayim, Tzofar

“Israel regrets Jordan’s decision to terminate the annexes,” the Foreign Ministry said as it explained that Jordanian law will now fully apply to those tracts of land.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, KHALED ABU TOAMEH
A Jordanian national flag is lifted near a tent at the "Island of Peace" in an area known as Naharayim in Hebrew and Baquora in Arabic, on the Jordanian side of the border with Israel, as seen from the Israeli side November 10, 2019 (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
A Jordanian national flag is lifted near a tent at the "Island of Peace" in an area known as Naharayim in Hebrew and Baquora in Arabic, on the Jordanian side of the border with Israel, as seen from the Israeli side November 10, 2019
(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II announced the expiration on Sunday of the 1994 Peace Treaty annexes with Israel on Al-Ghamar and Baqura, known in Israel as Naharayim and Tzofar.
Jordan has imposed “full sovereignty over every inch of those lands,” King Abdullah II said during a speech in Amman to mark the opening of the 18th session of the Jordanian parliament.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained silent on the termination of the agreement, which is viewed as a diplomatic loss. After Jordanians had hoisted a flag at the Naharayim site, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a brief statement.
“Israel regrets Jordan’s decision to terminate the annexes,” the Foreign Ministry said as it explained that Jordanian law will now fully apply to those tracts of land.
Labor MK Merav Michaeli tweeted that the loss of Tzofar and Naharayim, also known as the Island of Peace, “was sad and unnecessary.”
“Instead of celebrating 25 years of an agreement that promised prosperity to both countries, Israel and Jordan are separating from the ‘Island of Peace,’” she wrote. “It didn’t have to be this way. It is not too late to improve relations with Jordan and fulfill the promises for peace.”
Outgoing Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel of the Bayit Yehudi Party told the Knesset Channel that attempts to salvage the annexes began too late. His office is seeking alternative agriculture land for the farmers, he said.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said its country had practiced its legal right not to renew the lease of the Naharayim and Tzofar lands to Israel. According to the 1994 Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty, Jordan would have the option after 25 years not to renew the annexes. Under its terms, farmers from Moshav Tzofar had leased agricultural land from Jordan, which they farmed.
A Jordanian official said that the 423 hectares (1,045 acres) of land in Tzofar belong to the Jordanian Treasury. Jordan would nevertheless allow Israeli farmers to enter once to harvest what was already planted there before the expiry of the lease, the official clarified.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry also said that the Tzofar farmers would be able to return to the land briefly to harvest what they had planted, but could not place new crops.
The story differs slightly with regard to Naharayim, because the property is privately owned by Israelis and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund.
“The government of Jordan will continue to respect private ownership rights in Naharayim,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Jordanian official said that the 1994 Peace Treaty between the two countries recognizes private Israeli ownership over 82 hectares (202 acres) in Naharayim. Jordan will allow any Israeli who can prove ownership to receive a visa from the Jordanian Embassy in Tel Aviv to enter the kingdom through the border, the official told the Jordanian news agency Petra.
“Jordan will honor the ownership right in accordance with Jordanian law,” the official added.
At the parliamentary session in Amman, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, lines, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
“There will be no compromise on safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, despite increasing dangers and threats,” King Abdullah said.
He called on Muslims and Christians to “step up their protection of these holy sites, and support us in safeguarding them and ensuring the preservation of their legal status.”
Referring to economic hardship in Jordan, King Abdullah said in his speech: “Every one of you has a family to provide for, and I am responsible for an entire nation. We are all aware that the crises surrounding us have cast a shadow over Jordan in various aspects of life, especially the economy. We have paid a heavy price because of our historical positions. We have undertaken bold reforms, even in the most difficult circumstances, and have demonstrated that Jordan does not know the impossible.”
The monarch said that the Jordanian government has presented an economic program that includes reviewing salaries and wages, stimulating the economy and incentivizing investments, improving the quality of services provided to citizens, and administrative reform and public finance.
“I have directed the government to work vigorously and efficiently to take further bold measures to advance the national economy,” King Abdullah said. “But today, no government can proceed on the path of reform and achievement without a supportive legislative power, an impartial judiciary, an active private sector and citizens confident in themselves and the future of their country.”


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