While the recent change in the Israeli government gave hope that Jordan might be
able to boost diplomatic and political relations with Israel, there are
increasingly fewer expectations that that would be possible.
اضافة اعلان
Normalization of relations with Israel has never
been particularly popular in Jordan, yet political and security arrangements
were not negatively affected. Some argue that the era of peace came to an end
with the assassination of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and
Jordan realized that efforts to achieve peace with Israel were too difficult to
make. But it is important to know that Jordanian-Israeli relations are critical
as political realism pulls the two countries toward a shared goal in the
region.
Jordan’s geographic position, borders, security, and
demographic situation suggest that its diplomacy should be different from that
of other Arab countries. Whether it chooses to normalize relations with Israel
or boycott it, Jordan’s interests cannot be protected without the capacity to
influence Israeli politics. Neither can it be secured clearly highlighting the
importance of Jordan to any Israeli government, regardless of its political
leaning or vision.
Any review of Jordan’s official statements regarding
Israel shows clearly that the approach toward Israel has changed in the last
five years. There has been a clear escalation in statements, and, according to
some experts, populist propaganda that contradicts the fact that Jordan has a
peace treaty with Israel and ongoing security coordination. Jordan has
strategic interests both in the West Bank and in Israel, and Amman should be
the center for resolving problems and shaping policies for all three
stakeholders.
Whether it chooses to normalize relations with Israel or boycott it, Jordan’s interests cannot be protected without the capacity to influence Israeli politics, and without clearly highlighting the importance of Jordan to any Israeli government, regardless of its political leaning or vision.
There is no doubt that extremist ideology on the Israeli
side is still growing, and initiatives toward arriving at a real peace continue
to weaken, but when it comes to politics, security, and mutual benefits, there
is need for realism and for politicians that respect a strategic relationship.
The several Arab-Israeli peace agreements reached a
few years ago made it was obvious that the Israelis were revising their
relations with Arab countries and attempting to reach a new model of peace,
with people, and not just with governments.
As such, one would expect to see a change in
Jordan’s relations with Israel. It was evident that normalization with Israel
was not popular; that affected any rational politics that pursues Jordan’s
strategic interests. Since Jordan has a peace treaty and security coordination
with Israel, it must find a way to achieve its strategic political objectives
and interests.
Rational politics are important at a time when the
region is rife with popular anger, economic hardship and frustration that could
evolve to instability and open conflicts anywhere. Chasing populism and social
media trends is no way to engage in modern geopolitics. The economic and social
situation in Jordan needs hard decisions that can only be taken through
strategic regional engagement and positioning that attracts the necessary
investment and capital that drives economic growth.
Economic stability and regional security will make
people feel safe and hopeful about the future, and thus elicit support for
policies. For that to happen, there is need of new ways of thinking, new
approaches and new people who understand that real leadership involves setting
an agenda and delivering the proposed outcome.
It is irresponsible to continue down the path of
short-term popularity that undercuts Jordan’s ability to regenerate industry
and create economic growth. A revision of foreign policy is needed, and
acknowledgement of the fact that a rational approach is the key to long-term
economic stability and national security.
The writer is a
Jordanian university professor and geopolitical expert. He is a leading
columnist in national, regional, and international media, offers consultancies
to think tanks and speaks at international conferences on Middle East politics
and developments.
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