Newsbrief: Jordan reclaims land Israelis used under ’94 peace accord

(Photo: The New York Times)

by Rebekah Hazleton
edited by Bailey Matteson

King Abdullah II of Jordan announced that his country would reclaim the border lands between Israel and Jordan that Israel had been allowed access to for 25 years, According to the New York Times.

Jordanians have been disappointed with the peace treaty reached between the countries in 1994. Israelis were allowed to work the lands and visit “the Island of Peace” in Jordan due to the annexes in the treaty.

King Abdullah II said that Israel continued to violate the agreement and interfere with security measures, which fueled his decision to revoke the treaty.

Under political pressure, the king gave a year’s notice of the intention to revoke the arrangement that gave Israelis access to the border lands.

“Our feeling is that this could have been prevented if there had been more effort on both sides for a proper dialogue,” said Eli Arazi, an Israeli who sat on the negotiating team for the 1994 agreement, according to the Times article.

Jordanian officials recognized the private property rights of the Israelis in this land. Therefore, Israeli farmers would be allowed access with a proper visa provided by the Jordanian Embassy.

About 1,000 Israelis visited the “Island of Peace” for the last time. This area is “a much-loved nature spot with a rich history, the area has an emotional pull for many Israelis,” according to the Times article. The open yellow gate that stood between the lands was a symbol of the peace treaty between the countries.

In Israeli news media, photos of two soldiers closing the gate on Sunday symbolized the end of the land agreement between Israel and Jordan.