Jordanian Prime Minister Warns Against Annexation of Palestinian West Bank

(Patria) - Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz claims that his country could look positively on a 'democratic one-state solution' regarding the dispute between Israel and Palestine, while warning that the implementation of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's plan to annex parts of the West Bank could trigger a new wave of extremism in the Middle East.

In an interview with the British Guardian in Amman, Razzaz explains that the Israeli Prime Minister's annexation policy could mean 'introducing a new apartheid state' that would represent a radicalizing force, further destabilizing an already turbulent region.

- As we see it, anything that is not an adequate two-state solution could plunge not only Jordan, not only Palestine, not only Israel, but the region, and the entire world into chaos, Razzaz emphasized.

However, he also said that due to the undermined status of the 20-year-old two-state solution formulation, Jordan could become inclined towards a solution that involves the creation of a 'single Palestinian-Israeli state', provided it ensures equal rights for these two peoples.

The Guardian writes that Israeli leaders have traditionally avoided discussing any form of a one-state solution, fearing that the Palestinian population would eventually outnumber the Jewish population, thereby posing a threat to Israel's religious identity. However, the one-state idea is becoming increasingly popular among Palestinian activists, especially because the idea of their own state is becoming a dead letter.

- If the door to a two-state solution is closed, I could look positively on a democratic one-state solution, said Razzar, also a former World Bank director, adding that 'no one in Israel is talking about it, so we cannot sugarcoat what they are doing. Who in Israel is talking about a one-state solution? They are talking about apartheid in every possible sense.'

His comments signal greater openness to a one-state solution than was previously the case for the Jordanian government, which could also be accepted by other Arab countries if Israel proceeds with the annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Netanyahu announced the 'establishment of sovereignty' over about 30% of the occupied West Bank territory, including Israeli settlements and parts of the Jordan Valley. The annexation plan, rejected by Palestinian leaders, has met with fierce criticism from former Israeli security officials, members of the US Congress, some European countries, as well as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Jordan, led by King Abdullah II, is actively campaigning against the annexation plan, arguing that annexation would mark the end of the idea of creating an autonomous Palestinian state that would include the West Bank, Gaza, and parts of East Jerusalem.

- We oppose unilateral action, emphasizes Razzaz, who graduated from Harvard and MIT in the US. 'We oppose annexation, as well as any steps that are not part of a concept leading to a two-state solution... if we are not moving towards a two-state solution, tell us where we are going, towards what kind of two-state solution are we moving,' the Jordanian Prime Minister underlined.  

Official Amman fears that the demise of the two-state concept would open the door to the possibility of absorbing parts of the West Bank and its population, a popular idea among the Israeli right-wing that is becoming increasingly accepted.

- Jordan will not absorb transfers of Palestinians, warns Razzaz, adding that 'Jordan will not become Palestine, as the Israeli far-right would like. And Jordan will not give up its role as custodian of the holy (Muslim and Christian) sites in Jerusalem. These three points are clear to us,' Razzaz emphasized.

Jordan and Israel concluded a peace treaty in 1994, prior to the signing of the Oslo Accords (officially called the Declaration of Principles or the Interim Self-Government Agreement), which formed the basis for years of failed negotiations on a Palestinian state. Although unpopular among Jordanians, the truce has lasted due to strong security cooperation between the two countries. However, the 25th anniversary of the signing of the truce last December was not marked.

King Abdullah stated that Jordan-Israel relations are at a low level, and that the annexation plan is leading the two countries towards 'massive conflict'. However, the Jordanian King did not threaten to break the agreement, which diplomats and analysts consider unlikely.

Razzaz claims that annexation would establish an apartheid system similar to that in South Africa, which he says is already being implemented against Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.

- South Africa was not a problem for neighboring countries; South Africa was a problem for the world. If Israel continues down this path, it will be a problem for the entire world, claims Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, who is also known for managing one of the world's most successful responses to the coronavirus pandemic – in Jordan, 1,233 people have been infected since the beginning of the epidemic, and 11 have died.