Categorie archief: Revolution Jordan

Jordanians protest detention of al-Quds Mufti near Israel embassy

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Jordanian protesters burn the Israeli flag during a demonstration in the village of Kafrein, west of the capital Amman in March 2012.

Jordanian protesters burn the Israeli flag during a demonstration in the village of Kafrein, west of the capital Amman in March 2012.

“The protest was held hours after Amman summoned Israeli Ambassador Daniel Nevo and MPs unanimously called for his expulsion in a non-binding vote, in response to the detention of Mufti Mohammed Hussein.”

Jordanian youths have staged a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman to voice their outrage at the recent detention of the Mufti of al-Quds (Jerusalem) Mohammed Hussein.

Police sources said on Thursday that a group of young Jordanians held an overnight sit-in near the Israeli embassy to protest against the regime’s recent move.

Firas Qasas, an organizer of the event said, “Dozens of members of political parties and youth movements held the one-hour sit-in to express their anger at Israel and actions of the settlers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

On Wednesday, the Israeli police said Mufti Mohammed Hussein was arrested at his home over suspicions of ‘involvement in Tuesday clashes in Al-Aqsa Mosque.’ The mufti is in charge of al-Quds’ Islamic holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The protest was held hours after Amman summoned Israeli Ambassador Daniel Nevo and MPs unanimously called for his expulsion in a non-binding vote, in response to the detention of Mufti Mohammed Hussein.

Jordanian MPs also asked the government to recall Amman’s Ambassador to Israel, Walid Obeidat.

Qasas further said Jordanian protesters chanted, “The people want to kick out the ambassador and shut down the embassy,” during the demonstration.

The demonstrators also demanded that their country scrap its 1994 peace treaty with the Tel Aviv regime.

On May 7, some 100 Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli forces, entered Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Clashes erupted between the Israeli settlers, soldiers and Palestinians following the entry of the Israelis. Several Palestinians were reportedly injured, and several others were arrested.

(Source / 10.05.2013)

Jordanians protest in solidarity with prisoners in Israel

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Detainees continue hunger strike to demand better treatment

Activists and relatives of Jordanian prisoners in Israel participate in a protest outside the Professional Associations Complex in Amman’s Shmeisani area on Saturday (Photos by Muath Freij)

AMMAN — Around 50 activists and relatives of Jordanian prisoners in Israel gathered outside the Professional Associations Complex on Saturday in solidarity with the detainees who began a hunger strike on Thursday.

The prisoners went on hunger strike to demand better treatment, according to Fadi Farah, spokesperson of the National Committee for Prisoners in Israel.

Farah told The Jordan Times during Saturday’s protest that Jordanian prisoners face abject conditions in Israeli jails.

“They are being tortured. If a prisoner dies during interrogation, the Israeli investigator is not responsible for his death,” he claimed, adding that prisoners are also deprived of their minimum rights.

But Farah voiced concern over the prisoners’ health conditions during their strike.

“Perhaps not all prisoners can go on with their strike because they might face health difficulties,” he said.

Farah noted that there are 26 Jordanians serving various prison terms in Israel and most of them are taking part in the hunger strike.

Ali Armouti, one of the protesters, said the West supports Israel while the prisoners have no one to support them.

“The Arab regimes do not pay attention to Arab prisoners’ dignity. These regimes should pressure Israel to free these prisoners,” added Armouti, a member of Jordanian Commission to Support the Syrian People.

Farah noted that many prisoners have not seen their relatives for a long time.

“For example, Abdullah Barghouthi’s family has not seen him for 11 years,” he added.

Um Karam, whose son Karam was detained by the Israeli authorities 12 years ago, said she has visited her son twice during the past 12 years.

“Israel does not allow me to visit my son. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs promised to arrange a visit three years ago and nothing happened,” she added.

Karam, father of two, was detained in 2002 when he protested against a provocative visit by Israeli leader Ariel Sharon to Al Aqsa Mosque, according to his mother, who did not give her full name.

“Every day I pray for my son’s release,” the Zarqa resident added.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry could not be reached for comment despite several attempts by The Jordan Times to contact them.

Farah said the government should work more to support Jordanian prisoners.

(Source / 04.05.2013)

Jordan gets trim cabinet to cut spending

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King Abdullah II on Saturday swore in a trim cabinet line-up of 19 members led by reformist Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur.

King Abdullah II on Saturday swore in a trim cabinet line-up of 19 members led by reformist Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur who merged several portfolios to cut spending, the new information minister said.

The new government, the smallest in Jordan in more than four decades, comprises 13 newcomers including a woman, with the key interior ministry changing hands while veteran diplomat Nasser Judeh staying at the helm of the foreign ministry.

Earlier this month the king reappointed Nsur as premier following unprecedented consultations between the royal palace and the 150-member parliament, tasking him to form his second government since October.

In the new cabinet, police Chief Hussein Majali, who enjoys a good reputation for not using excessive force against pro-reform protesters, was given the ministry of the interior and municipal affairs.

Judeh retains his post for the sixth time in a row in new line-up, one of the smallest cabinets in years to emerge in Jordan where the previous cabinet had two more ministers than the current one and the one before that was 30-strong.

“The goal of forming such a trim cabinet is to cut government spending,” said Mohammad Momani, a university professor who was handed the information ministry as well as the ministries of political development and parliamentary affairs.

“This government has the smallest ministerial team since 1967,” Momani, who was formally adviser to the prime minister, told AFP after the swearing in ceremony.

Nsur tendered the resignation of his 21-member government in January following parliamentary elections which were boycotted by Islamists, the main opposition force. The polls were won by people close to the regime, businessmen and tribal leaders.

Newcomers include a woman, Reem Abu Hassan, a lawyer who was the secretary general of the National Council for Family Affairs, and now heads the social development ministry.

Also new to the government is Carnegie Endowment for International Peace economist Ibrahim Saif, a specialist of the economies of the Middle East, who was given the ministries of planning, tourism and antiquities.

Nsur, 73, an outspoken MP and senator who held several key government portfolios in the 1980s and 1990s, is a vocal supporter of sweeping reforms and anti-corruption measures.

(Source / 30.03.2013)

FCO Minister welcomes peaceful conduct of elections in Jordan

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London, Jan. 25 (Petra)–British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, FCO Minister for Middle East Alistair Burt welcomed Jordan’s Parliamentary elections, and pledges continued UK assistance in strengthening Jordan’s democracy.

Commenting on the Parliamentary elections in Jordan which took place on 23 January, the minister, congratulated the Jordanian people and government on the well-administered Parliamentary elections. “I particularly commend the role and work of the Independent Election Commission in organising the elections in a transparent and impartial manner, “he said, adding that this represents a significant step forward in the transition towards Parliamentary democracy, as set out by His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Burt also commended work of the EU observer mission and those of other international and domestic observers.

He also hailed King Abdullah’s recent discussion documents setting out a road map towards improving inclusivity and wider representation, better governance and more democratic accountability, including his recognition of the need to encourage the further emergence of national political parties. “As a long-standing friend of the Jordanian people, the UK will continue to use the Arab Partnership programme to support Jordan in this process.” the minister said.

(petra.gov.jo / 25.01.2013)

Marches call for reform, fighting corruption

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Amman, Jan. 4(Petra) — Peaceful demonstrations were organized in Amman and other governorates after Friday prayers calling for reforms and fighting corruption.

The participants stressed the need to realize social justice and release detained protesters.

They affirmed the importance of preserving the national unity, protect public and private property and combat corruption.

(petra.gov.jo / 04.01.2013)

IEC calls on media to apply for accreditation to cover upcoming elections

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Amman, Dec 29 (Petra) — The IEC calls on all media representatives and journalists who are interested in covering the upcoming parliamentary elections to apply for accreditation at the IEC’s accreditation point in the Royal Cultural Centre in order to obtain their press cards that will enable them to cover the electoral process, noting that the last day for applying for accreditation is Thursday 10th of January,2013.

The IEC has started receiving accreditation applications on Wednesday the 26th of December, where a special team stationed at the Royal Cultural Centre began receiving the applications and started handing out the forms that need to be filled by the media in order to process their applications and provide information and assistance to all those vying for accreditation.

The IEC has also uploaded the application form and the Journalists code of conduct that should be filled and signed by those wanting to obtain accreditation on its website www.entikhabat.jo.

The journalists and media organizations can download the form and the code of conduct (in English and Arabic) and can send them to the IEC on the e-mail: press@entikhabat.jo, in order to be processed and checked.

According to the regulations those vying for accreditation will be requested to fill the application form, sign the journalists code of conduct, provide a copy of the passport (for the foreign media) or a copy of the National Identification Card (for the local media), a letter from the journalists’ media organization stating the he or she works for the organization, in addition to the journalists’ press card and two photos (size 30-40/40-50mm).

The media organizations need to also provide a letter with the names of those it wishes to have accredited (including journalists, cameramen and technicians).

After receiving the required documents, the IEC team will process the application and will provide the applicants with their press cards within three days of receiving the forms. The team will inform the journalists when to obtain their press cards at the IEC’s station in the Royal Cultural Centre.

The IEC’s executive instructions number (13) related to the accreditation of local and foreign journalists wishing to cover the electoral process to provide the following requirements: For local journalists: to provide a letter proving he/she is working for the media institution, to abide by the code of conduct issued by the IEC.

For Foreign Media: the organization should be accredited by the local authorities and for those who are not officially registered in Jordan to provide their press card and to abide by the IEC’s code of conduct.

The executive instructions also state that each journalist who obtains the accreditation and press card has the right to obtain all publishable information related to the electoral process from the IEC, access to polling and counting centers, access to IEC ‘s media centre and the services provided including interviews with officials and heads of election committees.

They are also entitled to present a complaint to the liaison officers at the polling and counting centers in case they obstructed from carrying out their work.

(petra.gov.jo / 29.12.2012)

Jordan Feels Pressure to Take Sides on Syria

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CAIRO — Syria’s neighbors have watched the nation’s civil war unfolding on their borders — and occasionally spilling over.  Unlike Turkey and Iraq, Jordan has tried to remain neutral.  There are signs the kingdom may be dragged, however reluctantly, into the conflict.

With growing political and economic unrest at home, the last thing many Jordanians want is conflict with neighbor Syria.

“The interests of Jordan dictate that Jordan does not interfere,” said political analyst Labib Kamhawi. He says those interests may come second to larger issues at play.

“There seems to be enough pressure coming from outside, from the U.S. and Europe and coming regionally from the Gulf states and Saudi, using economic means to force Jordan to open its grounds for some sort of military intervention, be it human resources or arms or logistics — but it’s happening,” Kamhawi stated.

The United States, a key Jordanian ally, has sent a small military contingent to the kingdom.  Its precise mission is unclear.

Hassan Barari, a professor of International Studies at Jordan University, says it is important to have the Americans on board. “The international community wants Jordan to play a role in Syria,” he said. “Jordan can’t do it on its own and there should be some support, in particular from the Americans.”

Damascus is just over 100 kilometers to the north and those trying to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad see Jordan as a key supply route to rebels trying to take the capital.

“There has been some arms smugglers into Syria but really the minimum level. It is not enough to provoke the Syrians.  But at least Jordan is giving the impression that it is ready to do it,” added Barari.

The risk of Syrian retaliation was heightened earlier this year when Jordanian officials said they had uncovered an attack plot by militants from Syria.

“No one can make the claim that the Syrian regime sent them, but once Jordan gets involved in this, this would be probably a front for Jordan to contend with,” explained Barari.

As the Syrian government struggles for survival, a new threat has emerged.  U.S. intelligence sources say Syria may be preparing to deploy chemical weapons.

Political analyst Kamhawi says the U.S. hurt its credibility on such matters in the prelude to the Iraq war — which he feels casts doubt on the current claims. “If we accept the argument that there is some imminent danger coming from some Syrian chemical weapons, then this is an invitation for foreign intervention into Syria,” he noted.

Both men feel that, regardless of what Jordanians want, ultimately it may not be their choice.

“I think at the end of the day, Jordan will find it is really hard to take a position that is independent of what the Americans want to do,” said Barari.

In the meantime, Jordanians are watching, and waiting.

(www.voanews.com / 12.12.2012)

New voting, tallying instructions meet int’l criteria, IEC

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Amman, Dec 3 (Petra) — The Independent Elections Commission IEC said on Monday that balloting and vote counting instructions published in the official gazette yesterday ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections are meant to ensure voter privacy in line with the constitution.

IEC spokesman Hussein Bani Hani said in a statement that a local constituency’s special ballot paper bears a candidate’s name and photograph, and a voter only needs to write the name of the candidate he/she chose, while an illiterate voter has only to mark a candidate’s photo, a process which meets international criteria.

The ballot paper for the general (national) constituency, he said, will include the lists and their numbers and codes, and that a voter would only mark the name of a list or its number or code.

Bani Hani said balloting will feature a series of clear procedures to ensure a safe electoral process and not allow any manipulation through scrutiny at the ballot box, adding that people with disabilities will be a priority to vote.

For more fairness, he added, an election committee will ensure that no mobile phones, cameras or recorders will be used by a voter inside the polling booth.

(petra.gov.jo / 03.12.2012)

“All stakeholders will do their part for fair, transparent election”, IEC head

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Amman, Nov 27 (Petra) — Independent Election Commission IEC President Abdul Ilah Al Khatib said on Tuesday citizens are at the centre of the electoral process and will decide the fate of upcoming parliamentary polls, but stressed that all concerned bodies will do their part to conduct a fair and transparent ballot.

In remarks at the opening of a workshop at IEC headquarters for a number of political parties, Khatib said the commission is preparing for “a new phase”, stressing that the workshop will tackle the hot topic of political money.

“The use of political money in the negative direction will undermine Jordan and the elections and diminish the citizen’s participation in decision-making,” Khatib said, urging participants to come up with recommendations and proposals to lay the rules for fighting the use of political money in campaigning.

He urged candidates to shun political money “in order to hold the right elections and lay the foundations of a representative Lower House as the true choice of citizens without any interferences.” The election commission’s chief said his agency had learned from other nations’ experiences regarding the issue of political money, expressing his hope that the right rules will be in place to address the issue and curb the use of political funds.

(petra.gov.jo / 27.11.2012)

UN Teachers Refuse To Teach About The Holocaust In Palestinian Schools

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UN Teachers Refuse to teach Holocaust Studies To Palestinian Students

The ugly specter of Holocaust denial has raised its bitter head once again. The Jordanian teachers employed by UNRWA — the United Nations Relief and Works Agency — have refused to teach their Palestinian students the history of the Holocaust that killed six million Jews. The UN teachers are responsible for educating more than 125,000 children at 172 UN schools in 10 Palestinian refugee camps.

The Executive Committee of UNRWA teachers in Jordan issued the following statement after rumors began to circulate this week that the UN would introduce Holocaust Studies into the enrichment curriculum on conflict resolution:

“We condemn this decision, which equates the butcher and the victim. We shall monitor the curriculum being taught under the title ‘concepts of human rights’ [which is] aimed at reducing [Palestinian] students’ awareness of the right of return. Teaching UNRWA students about the so-called ‘Holocaust’ as part of human rights harms the Palestinian cause… and changes the students’ views regarding their main enemy, namely the Israeli occupation.”

While the UN teachers call for the right of return to Israel for over five million refugees, the Jewish nation has made it clear for decades that the issue is a red line that will never be crossed. Israel insists the Palestinian demand for the right of return is a weapon to destroy the Jewish character of Israel by flooding the tiny country with millions of hostile refugees who are opposed to the existence of the Jewish state.

In Gaza, where Hamas runs the schools, there has been an ongoing effort to make sure no mention of the Holocaust or Jewish history will ever appear in Palestinian educational materials. In 2009, Jamila al-Shanti, a Hamas legislative official stated: ”Talk about the holocaust and the execution of the Jews contradicts and is against our culture, our principles, our traditions, values, heritage and religion,”

Israeli authorities contend Palestinian educational material violates the Oslo Accords. When Israel and the Palestinians signed the agreement in 1993, the following paragraph was included in the document:

“Israel and [the Palestinians] will ensure that their respective educational systems contribute to the peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and to peace in the entire region, and will refrain from the introduction of any motifs that could adversely affect the process of reconciliation. -Interim Agreement,Chapter 4, Article XXII, Par. 2″

As far back as 2007, Palestinian Media Watch released a report entitled ”From Nationalist Battle to Religious Conflict: New 12th Grade Palestinian Textbooks Present a World Without Israel.” After reading the report and reviewing the Palestinian textbooks, Senator Hillary Clinton called the school books “child abuse” and the “glorification of death and violence.” The report stated:

“The teachings repeatedly reject Israel’s right to exist, present the conflict as a religious battle for Islam, teach Israel’s founding as imperialism, and actively portray a picture of the Middle East, both verbally and visually, in which Israel does not exist at all. The following description of Israel’s founding represents the dominant dogma about Israel in Palestinian schoolbooks: Defining Israel’s founding as a ‘catastrophe unprecedented in history,’ ‘a theft perpetrated by Zionist gangs,’ together with numerous other hateful descriptions of Israel as ‘colonial imperialist’ and ‘racist’, compounded by the presentation of the conflict as a religious war, leaves no latitude for students to have positive or even neutral attitudes towards Israel. This negative imagery and religious packaging are compounded by hateful presentations of Israeli policy. The young students are imbued with a Palestinian identity as ‘victims’ just by virtue of Israel’s existence. The well-meaning student is left with no logical justification or religious option to accept Israel as a neighbor or to seek coexistence. Given the total rejection of Israel’s right to exist, on nationalistic and religious grounds, Palestinian terror against Israel since Israel’s founding in 1948 is defined as: ‘resistance … acts of most glorious heroism.’ PA educators teach that fighting Israel is not merely a territorial conflict, but also a religious battle for Islam. The schoolbooks define the conflict with Israel as ‘Ribat for Allah – one of the actions related to Jihad for Allah, and it means: Being found in areas where there is a struggle between Muslims and their enemies.’ “

Sadly, the situation is still the same in 2012. Even the statehood proposal handed out by Mahmoud Abbas at the UN earlier this year completely removed  Israel from the map of the region. Palestinian textbooks are still using the same hateful rhetoric, referring to Israel as the “Zionist entity.” Palestinian television provides educational programs for children that depict Jews using the Blood of Christians to make matzoh and portray the Protocols Of  Zion as authentic historical documents. Other programs routinely display children as young as five, dressed in full suicide bomber attire, shouting loudly they want to kill Jews and die as a martyr for Palestine while their teacher’s cheer them on.

(www.inquisitr.com / 19.10.2012)