Jordanian PM says Amman will ‘react’ to ‘existential threat’ of Palestinian displacement

Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh says the Hashemite Kingdom’s peace deal with Israel was a “strategic choice,” but that mass displacement of Palestinians would pose an “existentialist threat” and Jordan would be forced “to react” if such a step were taken by Israel, along with steps that upend the status quo at Jerusalem holy sites.

But Khasawneh clarifies during an on-stage interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, “We hope that we never arrive at that point.”

The Jordanian premier notes that Amman was in “serious discussions” to advance an energy-for-water deal with Israel.

“Today under the existing conditions, it’s quite inconceivable for any Jordanian minister to just sit on a podium and have that type of interaction and transaction with an Israeli counterpart,” he says, explaining the kingdom’s decision to walk out of the talks and again urging a ceasefire in Gaza.

Khasawneh indicates that Jordan will follow the path of Germany and participate as a third party in the International Court of Justice case in which Israel is accused of perpetrating genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. However, Amman will argue on the side of South Africa, which presented the case, while Germany will argue on the side of Israel.