Jordan has expressed frustration and disappointment with Israel concerning recent comments by Israeli Major General Yair Naveh that King Abdullah II would be the last king to rule over the Hashemite Kingdom, and has reportedly frozen contacts until further steps are taken by Israel against Naveh.
Despite an official apology on Israel's part from acting Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert, Jordanian officials have called for further steps such as punishment of Naveh or even relief from his duties in response to his inappropriate comments, according to Al Sharq Al Awsat.
Naveh made the comments in Jerusalem last month while speaking before a group of diplomats and reporters as the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
The General said that an "axis" comprised of Iran, "which proclaims its desire to destroy Israel", Iraq, "where no one knows what might happen", and the Palestinian territories, where Hamas, won recent elections, risked enveloping Jordan as well, according to the BBC.
"Given that Jordan is 80% Palestinian," he added, "We might - heaven forbid - reach a situation in which Abdullah is the last Hashemite king."
Israel distanced itself from the comments, while Olmert telephoned King Abdullah immediately to express his apologies.
However, sources revealed, Olmert's call was not received immediately by the King, who only later that evening returned the call.
Other Jordanian recently sources implied, nonetheless, that relations had remained unscathed by the affair.
On Tuesday, interim Jordanian Ambassador to Israel, Omar Al Nazif, stated that relations between the two countries remained positive. “Relations between Israel and Jordan are heading in the right direction. Jordan attaches great importance to the peace process in the region and it hopes the process will be renewed after the Israeli election. Jordan will invest all its efforts for that purpose,” he said, according to Ynet.
Additionally, a joint statement was issued by Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Israeli army Chief of Staff Dan Halutz in an attempt to dispel tensions following Naveh's comments.
"Israel views Jordan as a strong, stable country, with a glorious heritage and promising future," they said, adding, "Israel wishes to express respect and appreciation for the Hashemite Kingdom's vital contribution to regional stability and peace."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
