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A threat of military escalation between Iran and Israel places Jordan in the difficult position where it must maintain a balance between its vocal pro-Palestinian stance while abiding by its obligations as signatory to an almost four-decade peace treaty with Israel.
The equilibrium King Abdullah II seeks to keep is central to preserving more than five decades of internal stability which was last shaken in 1970, when civil war resulted in the expulsion of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to Lebanon.
A large proportion of the kingdom’s population of 10 million people are of Palestinian origin, while the rest are mainly descendants of tribes that were present when the kingdom was founded as a British protectorate in 1921.
Members of the tribes make up the security forces and the bulk of government, but popular anger at Israeli operations in Gaza is felt across the population.
In international circles, Jordan is seen as a rare beacon of stability in the Middle East. It is one of the largest recipients of US and European aid, including hundreds of millions of dollars allocated for proposed infrastructure and green energy projects.
This support is a result of the country's position as a moderate, pro-western state, a position boosted by the October 1994 peace treaty with Israel, making Jordan the second country, after Egypt, to sign such an agreement with the country it was technically at war with.
The peace treaty obliges both sides to counter cross-border infiltration and other perceived threats to each other's security. This element is especially important in the current regional context.
Intercepting attacks
During the Iranian attack on Israel in April, Jordan shot down some of the missiles and drones that flew over its airspace, on the premise that it would not allow the country to become a battleground for other conflicts. This prompted domestic criticism of Jordan's de facto defence of Israel as it waged war in Gaza.
One of the missiles fell near a southern suburb of Amman, but there were no casualties. Before the attack, Fars news agency, affiliated to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quoted an Iranian official as saying that if Jordan interferes it will be attacked.
The region is bracing for another Iranian response to Israel, this time over the July 31 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Days after the killing, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visited Iran and urged de-escalation, shortly after cautioning that Jordan will not become a battle theatre in any conflict between Iran and Israel, warning it "will confront any violation to its airspace".
But Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Mr Safadi that the assassination of Mr Haniyeh was a "major mistake" and that it "will go unanswered."
A diplomat who regularly meets Jordanian officials said that since Mr Haniyeh’s assassination, the kingdom has discounted the possibility for a ceasefire in Gaza, and accelerated its preparations in case of a regional war.
“They have been very clear in that Israel is the source of escalation,” the diplomat told The National.
“But they have no option except to respond to any new Iranian violation. The nature of their alliance with Washington so requires. Iranian missiles might also miss and hit populated areas.”
Saud Sharafat, a former senior official in Jordanian intelligence, said that Jordan’s pro-Iranian detractors are making it appear that without Jordan, "Israel would be bombed to the stone age”.
Mr Sharafat, who leads the Shorufat Centre for Globalisation and Terrorism Studies in Amman, said the tension has highlighted the paradox Jordan is facing – pursuing a foreign policy that supports the Palestinian struggle while keeping in mind that it cannot afford to "slip into a war with Israel."
“We cannot become a firing range in this conflict,” he said about the possibility of Iranian projectiles missing their target and landing in Jordan.
With Jordanian officials signalling that the country has limited means to stop Iranian missiles on its own, the US's help will once again be crucial, said Mr Sharafat. The country signed a defence pact with Washington in 2022, and is part of the Area of Responsibility of the US Central Command.
On Monday, King Abdullah visited the country’s crisis centre, accompanied by his high ranking security aides. The underlying message was that the kingdom is equipped to deal with violent threats, although official media reported that the king listened to a briefing about the centre’s capabilities to deal with food supply disruptions and earthquakes.
Palestinian support
Jordan has long argued that its talks with the parties involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict serves the Palestinians. Another diplomat said this was made evident by recent closed-door discussions about a possible international force being sent to Gaza once the war is over.
The diplomat, who was at a meeting with King Abdullah last month, said that the monarch insisted that such a force should also be deployed to the occupied West Bank to protect Palestinians there from repeated Israeli incursions and rising settler violence.
The proposal, as far as the West Bank is concerned, is a “no go” for the Israelis, according to the diplomat.
This time, there has been less domestic criticism of the intention to deter any new Iranian attack than there was in April. Authorities have increased their suppression of dissent, including public opposition to the country's Gaza war policy.
Over the past months, security forces have dispersed protests near the Israeli embassy and have shown little tolerance to demands for the end of the peace treaty.
At the start of the Gaza war, voices emerged on Jordanian social media, hinting at a need to open an alternative front enabling the launching of operations from Jordan, or at least using the country as a route to send arms to the besieged enclave. Many of those who made the call were linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, but among them were also independent civil figures.
This idea was then reinforced by appeals made by senior Hamas figure Khaled Meshaal to Jordanian tribes to join the war. The appeal struck a sensitive social and political chord, and was seen by many nationalists as an attempt to undermine the kingdom's cohesion.
Authorities intensified security along the border with Israel to ensure and banned gatherings in the area as a safety precaution to avoid any violations of the peace treaty.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Monday on X that illicit weapons are flowing across the border. He accused the IRGC of "collaborating with Hamas operatives in Lebanon to smuggle weapons and funds into Jordan with the aim of destabilising the regime".
Mr Katz, a member of Prime Minister's Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, said the weapons are then smuggled to the occupied West Bank "to create a pro-Iranian Islamic terror front."
The comments came after the public criticism of Jordan's approach to the Gaza war had quietened.
Mr Safadi said “disinformation by radical Israeli officials” does not detract from Israel’s "continued aggression on Gaza”, in an apparent response to Mr Katz.
“No propaganda campaigns, no lies, no fabrications can cover that,” Mr Al Safadi said on X.
The anger at Israel, both official and popular, has not fundamentally affected Jordan's vaunted internal stability.
But the displays of resolve, both against Israel and Iran, underpins a widely shared view in Jordan that the risks are high for the kingdom as the region reaches yet another crucial moment.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
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The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
The five pillars of Islam
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