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Jordan's King Hussein's Peace Initiative and the Treaty with Israel: Overcoming Domestic and Foreign Pressures



Author(s)

Jacob Abadi

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2134/2015.09.005

The Wadi „Araba peace treaty which Jordan‟s King Hussein signed with Israel on October 26, 1994 became a target of criticism ever since it became known to the Jordanian public. Intense pressure was exerted on the Jordanian government to revoke the treaty even before its signature. The opposition to it reached its peak in the following year, when the tension in the holy sites in Jerusalem mounted. Given the persistence of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the fact that the Palestinian issue remained unresolved, it was clear that the King was aware of the potential danger of signing a peace accord with Israel, and that he was prepared to face criticism not only from the Arab states but also from nationalists, Islamists and Leftists all of whom disapproved of his decision. Yet the King remained undeterred and boldly carried on the discussions that culminated in the peace treaty‟s signature. Bearing in mind the fact the Egypt was the first country to sign a peace treaty with Israel it seemed as if there was little risk involved in the normalization process, and that the opposition to the treaty would soon subside. As it turned out, however, the pressure to abrogate it continues to mount.

Israel, Jordan's King Hussein, Wadi, 'Araba Peace Treaty

Abadi, J. (2015). Jordan‟s King Hussein‟s peace initiative and the treaty with Israel: Overcoming domestic and foreign pressures. International Relations and Diplomacy, 3(9), 642-659.