"Jordan will not be an alternative Palestinian homeland"

The ruler of Jordan has rejected any suggestions that his country will be a Palestinian homeland, leaving the current occupied territories as part of Israel. King Abdullah II said that the imposition of such a scheme will be unacceptable and that the way to confront it is to strengthen Jordanian national unity.

Speaking in a ceremony to mark the eleventh anniversary of his accession to the throne, King Abdullah said, “National unity is the cornerstone of our stability and, as such, is a red line the crossing of which will not be permitted.” Jordanians should, the King added, unite against anyone who tries to destroy this unity.

In the past few months, Jordan has witnessed a public discussion – described by observers as “suspicious and unprecedented” – about the so-called alternative homeland scheme. In his speech to senior military and security personnel, King Abdullah said, “You can be sure that we will not accept, under any circumstances, a solution for the Palestinian question at the expense of Jordan and we will not have any role in the West Bank. At the same time, we will not give up our historical role and duty in supporting our Palestinian brethren until they set up their independent state on their national soil.”

The monarch also mentioned a number of challenges facing his country, such as the economic crisis and the spread of corruption and cronyism, stressing that his government has a clear strategy for overcoming them.