King Abdullah II
The two reportedly discussed Palestinian issues during their meeting, including attempts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The news came as King Abdullah II was meeting with the World Bank in a bid for aid for Jordan, which is suffering an economic crisis.
Israeli president, Jordanian king meet in Amman to discuss mutual ties
In the latest in a series of high-level meetings between the two nations, the leaders discussed “core issues,” including an agreement to import produce during Israel’s “shmita” year.
King Abdullah noted that “Iranian ballistic technology has improved dramatically. We have seen that against American bases in Iraq.”
Israel’s new government aims to mend relations with Jordan’s leadership through gestures like economic and water deals, but the Palestinian issue and Iran remain major obstacles.
Jordan sentences two officials to 15 years for alleged plot against monarchy
One of them is Bassem Awadallah, a former royal chief adviser and finance minister; the other is a minor royal.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and King Abdullah reportedly met in secret last week in Amman, prior to the Jordanian monarch’s scheduled visit the White House on July 19.
For the past several years, Jordan has come under increasing strain due to wars in bordering Iraq and Syria, which has led to many refugees resettling in Jordan. Combine a population holding divergent loyalties with a poor economic situation, and the result has been unrest.
Jordan’s Prince Hamza signs letter of allegiance to King Abdullah
The former crown prince, who was placed under house arrest following reports of a coup attempt, signed the letter after meeting with the king’s uncle Prince Hassan and other princes.
In what he says might be his last message, the former Jordanian crown prince, accused of the plot, claims that he’s confined to his home, with his Internet and phone lines cut.
“The new agreement reflects Jordan’s increasing importance as a logistical and operative center in anticipation of further U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq and Syria at a time when the need for a U.S. military presence increases rather than decreases,” said Hillel Frisch.
Other than Jordan, the Jewish state maintains a peace treaty with neighboring Egypt, which has also expressed concern over the move.
