Allenby Bridge border crossing (Archive)
Photo: Zoom 77
Jordan protests Israel's treatment of diplomats
Hashemite Kingdom complains its diplomats were forced to undergo security checks at Israeli border; Israel explains officials were suspected of smuggling
The Jordanian authorities have filed a letter of complaint to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, protesting the fact that Israel insists to conduct security inspections of Jordanian diplomats' vehicles at border crossings.
The demand to inspect the vehicles, on suspicion that they are being used for smuggling, violates diplomatic treaties, the Jordanians claimed.
The letter was filed following two recent incidents at The Allenby Bridge border crossing.
The first incident occurred when two Jordanian diplomats arrived at the bridge in a car that belongs to the embassy, on their way to Israel. The Israeli customs officials at the crossing demanded to examine the car, but the diplomats refused, stating that they have diplomatic immunity.
An argument soon developed between the two sides, and the diplomats eventually decided to return to Jordan.
The second incident took place only several days ago. Again, a Jordanian diplomat arrived at the border and was asked to allow border officials to inspect his car.
The diplomat phoned the Jordanian ambassador to Israel, who advised him to consent to the check, which revealed nothing irregular.
'Violation of Vienna Convention'
The Jordanian Embassy in Israel then filed a complaint to the Foreign Ministry arguing that Israel violated the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.According to the convention, a country is permitted to search the belongings of a foreign diplomat only if it has reason to believe that the official is using his baggage for smuggling. Jordan claimed that Israel had no information to warrant such a search.
Furthermore, Jordanian officials declared that in light of Israel's conduct, the Hashemite Kingdom would consider conducting similar searches of Israeli diplomats' baggage.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Tax Authority said in response that, "Given the diplomats' refusal to undergo an inspection and their decision to return to Jordan, no examination was carried out. The Convention stipulates that the customs officials should be able to conduct security checks of diplomats in case there is suspicion that the Convention is being misused."
