Jordan's MPs oppose appointing new envoy to Israel
Parliamentarians decry appointment of ambassador to Israel-designate Ghassan Majali, while calling for abrogating peace treaty; ‘Palestinians should occupy Israel, not the other way around.’
Jordanian members of parliament are demonstrating fierce opposition to the appointment of a new ambassador to Israel, arguing that the peace treaty with the Jewish state should be scrapped and "Palestinians should be occupying Israel."
Ghassan Majali is expected to replace the incumbent Ambassador to Israel Walid Obeidat, who is set to conclude his tenure after more than five years of service.
Officials from Jordan's Foreign Affairs Ministry claim that Israel has not yet approved his appointment as required by protocol.
MP Hazem Majali—who is Ghassan Majali's cousin—is leading opposition the opposition to the appointment of the new abassador.
"Our fundamental stance is that the peace agreement with Israel should be abrogated and that Palestine's occupation must immediately cease," the MP said.
"We seek to scrap the (peace) agreement and don't succeed. The Palestinians are the ones who should occupy Israel and not the other way around. We stand with them in their just fight," Hazem Majali added.
According to Hazem, if Jordan decides nevertheless to appoint an ambassador to Israel, it should change the nature of its position.
"The new ambassador should defend Jordan's interest, and mainly halt the activity of the occupation regime in Jerusalem," he concluded.
Majali served in the past as Jordan's ambassador to Spain, and currently runs the Jordanian academy for diplomats.
The Majali family is one of the most prominent and influential families in the Hashemite Kingdom and is known for its support of the royal family.
One of the family's members, Abd al-Hadi Majali, served as the chairman of the negotiations committee for signing the peace treaty with Israel in 1994.
