Jordan summons Israeli envoy for reprimand, demands Jerusalem condemn Smotrich

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Israel’s ambassador for a reprimand over Finance Minister Smotrich’s claim that there are no Palestinian people, while standing before a map of Israel that included the territory of modern-day Jordan.

The ministry says Smotrich’s use of the map was “a grave, inciteful act” and demands that the Israeli government take a clear stance against his conduct.

Meanwhile the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has also urged Jerusalem to disavow Smotrich’s comments.

He told reporters in Brussels that his statement “cannot be tolerated” and that “it is wrong, it is disrespectful, it is dangerous.”

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, dubs the minister’s remarks “completely unhelpful,” stressing the Palestinian people “obviously” exists.

“We continue to support their rights and to push for a two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he says.