Jordan summons Israeli ambassador on bill

Demands explanation for MK's 'Jordan is Palestine' argumentation; Spokesman: Not government policy.

arye eldad MK 248.88 (photo credit: Courtesy of the Knesset)
arye eldad MK 248.88
(photo credit: Courtesy of the Knesset)
Jordan's foreign minister summoned Israel's ambassador Tuesday to protest a proposal National Union MK Arye Eldad made in the Knesset last week that Palestinians be given Jordanian citizenship. According to the official Petra news agency, Nasser Judeh issued a strong protest to the ambassador "over a debate in the Knesset on a motion on a so-called two states for the two people on the two banks of the Jordan River." Judeh said Jordan was "dismayed by the debate and categorically and totally rejected the proposal submitted by a Knesset member, calling on the Israeli government for a clear explanation of what took place in the Knesset." Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that the envoy, Yaakov Rosen, explained that this was a proposal by an opposition MK member and did not represent the government or its positions. "Israel and the government continue to abide by the letter and spirit of the peace treaty with Jordan," Palmor said. Jordan's protest in this matter, according to sources in Jerusalem, was an indication of its anxiety and opposition to the "Jordan is Palestine" argument.