Pumping up hysteria after Israel-Jordan gas deal

Activists in Jordan have resorted to using art and music as a form of protest after Jordan signed a deal to import gas from Israel.

On Sunday, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions’ Jordanian branch organised an event featuring stand-up comedians and music to express their discontent at the deal.

Jordanian radio presenter and comedian Amjad Hijazin emphasised the power of art and music as a driving force in raising awareness for the cause.

Organisers said 200 people attended the event.

The Jordanian Committee for Protecting the Country and Resisting Normalisation has branded the deal with Israel as “unconstitutional”, and there have been a number of protests across the country. The largest protests so far have been on 1 October and another one a week later.

Activists have also held coordinated hour-long blackouts, encouraging Jordanians to turn off all lights and electrical appliances at set times to protest against the gas deal.

The Jordanian government has insisted the deal is a matter of national interest, and that it would result in the kingdom finding new energy sources. The government has also insisted that the gas deal with Israel is the cheapest on offer.