From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 17, 2021
Jordan’s parliament calls for expulsion of Israel envoy, recall of ambassador from TLV
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Jordanian lawmakers unanimously carry a motion urging the government to expel Israel’s ambassador to Amman in protest against Israeli “crimes” against Palestinians.
Speaker of Parliament Abdul Monem Odat announces the move live on television after a parliamentary session devoted to “the situation in Palestine and the crimes committed against them in Jerusalem and Gaza.”
During a six-hour long session, “the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador” was among the key recommendations carried, Odat says.
Lawmakers also demand the recall of Jordan’s ambassador from Tel Aviv.
“We have sent a memorandum to the government to that effect and it is now with the prime minister,” he adds.
Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh, who was present in parliament, said the government will examine all the options “and will rise to the challenge.”
Independent MP Khalil Attiyeh tells AFP that all parliament’s 130 deputies had signed the memorandum.
Jordan, which is bound by a peace treaty with neighboring Israel agreed in 1994, has for days seen protests in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Demonstrators have demanded the Israeli ambassador’s expulsion.
Around half of Jordan’s 10 million-strong population is of Palestinian origin, including some 2.2 million refugees registered with the United Nations.
The Times of Israel Community.