The implementation of
this new strategy is proceeding swiftly. Recently an Agreement was signed
between Jordan and the Palestinian President Abbas to make Jordan the guardian
of the Moslem Holy Places in Jerusalem. This action, while unrelated to present
day events, prepares the way for Jordan to be the future Palestinian State. It
complements the understanding detailed in Jordan's treaty with Israel in 1994. That treaty notes "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".
American troops are now
stationed in Jordan under the guise of helping coordinate the response to the
Syrian crisis. In reality, the troops are there more to protect the king more
than anything else.
Senior Jordanians have been recently quoted as declaring openly "there
never was a place called Palestine. There is no such thing as Palestine, only
Jordan". Such sentiments mark a sea change in the long-standing Jordanian
deference to the Palestinian Authority on all matters relating to Palestine. On
the Israeli side, "Palestine is Jordan" is the rallying cry of Israel's right
wing, which is now in control in Israel.
In the environment presently
prevailing in the aftermath of the "Arab Spring', no Arab or Moslem country,
including Iran and Turkey, is willing or capable of foiling the Israeli/American
plans. The self-immolation of Syria, the continuing Israeli occupation of the
West Bank and East Jerusalem, the upheaval in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen
"etc. has created an opportune time for the Israel and the US to execute their
plan. The events in Syria pose an immediate challenge to Jordan; the king is
relying on the support of the US and Israel to maintain control. Even, if he
wanted to, he is in no position to object to the Israeli/American plan. This is
undoubtedly at the heart of recent discussions during the King's frequent recent
visits to Washington and the visits of Secretary Kerry to the Middle East.
It seems that the United
States will never learn. One again, it is throwing its support behind another unpopular
autocrat to serve its interests without considering what the Arabs need or
want. Only Israel matters to Washington. As a result of these shortsighted strategies,
Israel's future in the Middle East will be far less certain. The Arabs are
there to stay. They have long memories, as would you. Imagine: What if someone
evicted you from your house, moved into it themselves, and forced you to live
in a tent in your own backyard? How long would it take you to forget?
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