Jordan, From Abdullah to Abdullah

Peloni

Let’s be clear, Jordan is not “Israel’s ally”.  T. Belman

Well stated! I bristle each time I hear Jordan described as being Israel’s ally and how successful their alliance has been over the years – no alliance could long be held, if ever gained, from such a line of craven brigands as devoid of any constant merit as the Hashemite family. The simple reality is that Jordan had an opportunity to be an ally, and gain a very good ally in Israel.

Unfortunately, like his father and great-grandfather, Abdullah chose less wisely, and chose a path that betrayed the relationship created with their Jewish neighbors a century ago which prevented the strength of geography and history(talking about history back in the early 1920’s just to be clear) becoming what it might have been. The treaty that everyone mistakes as an alliance should not be described as more than it is. Indeed the territory of Palestine under both the Ottomans and the British were not held separate, but had a common command and economy. Indeed, it was only in the post-Mandate period in which the great partition was made following a series of great betrayals.

The initial monarch of Jordan was the current Abdullah’s namesake and great-grandfather. It was this original Abdullah’s false nature that set the family motto of betrayal and tendencies towards a vacillating faithfulness. He was to be awarded the independent kingdom of Jordan ripped from Mandate lands as the unfortunate outcome of the Cairo Conference of 1921.

Though he would not achieve his crown for some 28 years, his agreement was made knowing the Jordan River was to demarcate the limits of his kingdom from the Jewish Homeland. Without considering the controversy and possible motives behind his actions(a very interesting but very long discussion), Abdullah’s false devotion to the Cairo pact which betrayed the rights and borders of his neighboring twin-born Jewish State was to be seen as a image of the family crest.

In truth his murder at the hands of his Arab brothers was due to his inconstant nature in supporting any bargain for very long, as his death was his reward for considering a renewal of the pledge which gained him his crown. His grandson, Hussein, carried on this great hallmark of the family shame in 1967 for, yet, another betrayal upon their Jewish neighbors. For this specific betrayal, the Hashemites were rewarded with the just emancipation of their stolen Jewish lands back to the Jewish People.

Regretfully, the history of Jordan and Israel could have been one in which the two people were held within a common plight of success or failure, but the Hashemite Kingdom’s treacherous inclination held this possibility as a road never attempted. In spite of the unfaithful nature that came to be expected of Jordan, Israel has over the years made countless overtures towards supporting stronger ties, but the Jordanians have seen their strength in the region as the Arab microphone thru which Israel could indirectly negotiate with the Arab states.

They supported the Pals in spite of their false negotiating practices, as the US and EU have each done, but Jordan chose this course because this policy allowed them a special prominence in the region. Unfortunately for them, Israel has found its own microphone to indirectly or directly engage the Arab world, without a need of a Jordanian switchboard.

In recent decades, their preference was placed in supporting the dishonestly named Peace Process in lieu of generating strong, warm ties that would have garnered them the visage of an ally if not the actual status of such. Instead their economy lies in ruins – the product of their corrupt governmental system which is designed as a siphoning mechanism, ever draining what little may be squeezed from their destitute public into the royal coffers.

This is easily seen to be their most grievous betrayal, for by doing so, they grant their people no hope, no support and no future. Their reliance upon the great gifts of largess from the Saudi’s was re-paid by their support of Iraq in the Gulf War and then when the Saudi’s and the Qatar began their feud, Jordan again tried to be everyone’s friend which took but a short time to be recognized by each side.

Of course, it should be recalled that Jordan’s idea of friendship is defined by having each friend donate great wealth to them. Their duplicity with each state in the region is as obvious to all as it is damaging to their subjects. It is unfortunate that this kingship has failed both their people and the region so badly, but their ruling practices were only designed towards self-empowerment and self-aggrandizement to the misery of all who they ruled, or made either loose or close attachments.

Their only faithful support was to their own family and the overstated image they were intent upon maintaining. Their reckless rule was poorly managed to this effect and their families fall from power is well deserved and well past a fair expiration date. Their people deserve a just government, and honest moves toward reforms that support a prosperous future for their people which could be gained thru an honest leadership devoted towards peaceful extension of strong ties and close cooperation.

Such a change in course could generate a wealth of opportunity for both peoples, who sprang from the ruins of the displaced overlords of both the Ottomans and British to produce a full friendship and a hearty alliance which could then be fairly boasted. Til such time as this, the use of the word alliance with Jordan should be seen for the claptrap that it is.