Jordanian MPs: Sever ties with Israel over 'alternative homeland' bill
DPA reports group of Jordanian lawmakers say MK Eldad's bill calling for creation of states on Jordan River's two banks 'proves Zionist mentality of ruling politicians in Israel does not believe in peace'
At least 15 Jordanian lawmakers on Friday urged the government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel in protest against debate in the Israeli parliament over regarding Jordan as an "alternative homeland" for the Palestinians, DPA, Germany's national news agency, reported on Friday.
According to DPA, the pro-government National Democratic Bloc at the lower house of parliament said in a statement, "The voting on the proposal by the Israeli Knesset proves that the Zionist mentality of the ruling politicians in Israel does not believe in peace and has no respect for the peace treaties and UN resolution."
The group, which includes 15 deputies, considered last week's discussion in Israel's Knesset "a violation" of the peace treaty, which Jordan concluded with Israel in 1994, the DPA report said.
According to the report, the group said that Jordan's response should be the "dismissal of the Israeli ambassador and withdrawal of the Jordanian envoy" from Israel.
The bill, proposed by MK Arieh Eldad (National Union), calls for "creating two states on the two banks of the Jordan River, one for the Israelis and one for the Palestinians".
The bill is up for debate in the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Last Tuesday, Jordan's official news agency Petra reported that Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh summoned the Israeli ambassador to Amman and demanded the bill be withdrawn.
Judeh also took the opportunity to explain to the ambassador that Jordan "believes in establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state on Palestinian soil," a foreign ministry statement was quoted as saying.
"This is a strategic Jordanian interest that comes in line with a two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative," the statement said.
