Sixty Jordanian lawmakers have called on their government not to renew the land lease agreement signed with Israel and to retake control over Al-Baqoura and Al-Ghamr from Tel Aviv.
“We, the undersigned deputies, underscore the the House of Representatives’ decision to cancel the agreement signed between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the occupying state on leasing the lands of Baqoura and Al-Ghamr,” a statement prepared by MP Khalid Ramadan of Maan bloc read.
The declaration, which was submitted to the Jordanian Parliament Speaker, pointed to the need to hold a general session to listen to the government’s intentions with regards to the issue so that the deputies can take the constitutional procedures if the government does not cancel the contract.
The Jordanian government announced earlier this year that it was “still contemplating” whether to end the lease or renew it.
Jordan and Israel signed in 1994 the Wadi Araba peace agreement gave Israel private landownership rights and property interests in the Baqoura area under Jordan’s sovereignty.