Jordanian journalist denied entry into Israel
Mudar Al Momani, widely regarded as a promoter of bilateral relations between Israel and Jordan, has been denied entry into Israel on grounds of 'security concerns,' despite being described by the Israeli embassy in Jordan as someone 'works tirelessly for closer relations between Jordan and Israel.'
Jordanian journalist Mudar Al Momani has been denied an entry visa into Israel for weeks due to "security reasons," despite pressure from the Israeli Embassy and the Government Press Office.
For years, Al Momani has travelled between Amman and Jerusalem, where he lives part time with his wife. He is regarded by many as a proponent for advancing bilateral relations between the two countries as he organizes diplomatic missions to Israel and tries to demonstrate that it is different to how it is portrayed in Arab media.
Al Momani has met with several Israeli government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has attended ceremonies at the Israeli embassy in Amman. He usually received a visa each year automatically.
However, this past year, Al Momani married an Israeli Arab from Beit Safafa, near Jerusalem, and has since claimed that the process of getting a visa has become extremely complicated.
In the last two months, his efforts at securing a visa have proven to be unsuccessful and have led to a situation in which he is in Jordan, while his wife is in Jerusalem.
"I can honestly say that I am one of the people who have worked the hardest to promote peace with Israel," Al Momani told Ynet from Amman. According to him, he has already brought at least ten official delegations from Jordan.
"I have met with Netanyahu and Shimon Peres four times and with all the diplomats and ambassadors that have been in Jordan since 2000. They are my friends," he added.
Al Momani said that he has been living in West Jerusalem for two years and as such, was very surprised when he learned that he was denied entry into Israel on security grounds. He also said that friends of his in Israel are shocked by the turn of events. "Even my personal belongings are still there," he lamented.
Commenting on the matter, the Shin Bet said, "The entrance of Mr. Al Momani was refused temporarily for security reasons. The refusal will be up for consideration by the party who filed the request, the East Jerusalem Bureau of the Ministry of the Interior."
