Weekly Commentary: Leadership of Jordan Disappointment But Our Policy Driven
By Many Factors
Dr. Aaron Lerner 18 July, 2021

Ever since news of PM Naftali Bennett's visit with the King of Jordan came
out there has been a heated policy debate regarding Israeli policy towards
the Hashemite Kingdom.

Bennett apparently agreed to work out selling Jordan water it so desperately
needs.

Thanks to our desalination plants, we have the water to spare, but opponents
of the move argue that the Jordanians simply do not deserve our help.

After all, Jordan has opted to be an enemy of the Jewish People regarding
Jerusalem.

Their officials deny our historical ties to the city in general and the
Temple Mount in particular.

Instead of acting as a moderating force, Jordan protested and/or blocked any
and all measures to prevent the desecration of this holy area by Moslem mobs
who turned the Al Aqsa Mosque into a storage room for rocks, firebombs and
more as they prepared to attack Jews.

Jordan has also joined in blocking critically needed repairs in the area.

Jordan has also vocally protested, as it did today, any Jewish presence in
the open plaza of the Temple Mount where Moslem kids can be seen playing
soccer.

But the question for policymakers is not if Jordan DESERVES our help but
rather if helping Jordan SERVES OUR INTERESTS.

Does it serve Israel's interests if Jordan's ongoing water crises is eased?

Does it serve Israel's interests for economic conditions in Jordan to be
improved?

Do those opposing helping Jordan out believe that, should the "undeserving"
leadership be deposed, its replacements will be more to out liking?

I may not be think that Jordan deserves our help, but I certainly believe
that it serves our interests to help them.
_______________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il