Jordan Increases Border Presence to Prevent Forced Transfer of Palestinians by Israel
Jordan has announced that it has strengthened its military presence along its borders with Israel and issued a warning that any attempt by Israel to forcibly push Palestinians across the Jordan River would be a violation of the peace accord between the two countries. Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh stated that Jordan would use “all the means in its power” to prevent Israel from implementing any transfer policy aimed at expelling Palestinians en masse from the West Bank.
The recent Israel-Gaza conflict has reignited longstanding fears in Jordan, which is home to a significant population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Ultra-nationalist hardliners within the Israeli government have long advocated for a Jordan-is-Palestine solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Israel has launched a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip following the deadly October 7 attack by the Islamist group Hamas into southern Israel. This has resulted in the internal displacement of approximately 1.7 million out of Gaza’s 2.3 million population.
Khasawneh, quoted by state media, stated that any displacements or actions that could lead to such displacements would be considered a declaration of war and a material breach of the 1994 peace treaty with Israel. He warned that this would not only undermine the Palestinian cause but also jeopardize Jordan’s national security.
While Jordan was the second Arab country, after Egypt, to sign a peace accord with Israel and has maintained strong security ties, relations have deteriorated under Israel’s current right-wing government. Khasawneh emphasized that the peace treaty would be meaningless if Israel failed to respect its obligations and violated it.
The prime minister stated that any threat to Jordan’s national security would prompt the consideration of all options. The recent deployment of troops along the borders with Israel is part of measures to safeguard the country’s security. Witnesses have reported sightings of armored vehicles and tanks moving along a main highway leading to the Jordan Valley, opposite the West Bank.
Khasawneh also warned that Israeli actions in the West Bank could escalate violence, particularly in light of the increasing attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian civilians since the October 7 attacks. The United States has also urged Israel to restrain settler violence, fearing a broader conflict.
The prime minister concluded by stating that Israel should avoid any escalation in the West Bank, as it is a red line that Jordan will not accept.
(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
