US President Joe Biden welcomes King Abdullah II to the White House this Friday on the occasion of a visit by the Jordanian monarch to the United States. A visit aimed at strengthening ties between Amman and Washington and renewing international aid from the United States. But this time, the particularly tense climate between Israel and Jordan is likely to occupy a large part of the discussions.
This meeting comes only two days after the death of the Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, star reporter for the Qatari television channel Al Jazeera, was shot dead in Jenin on Wednesday morning. The Palestinian authorities accuse the Israeli security forces of being behind this crime. But the Jewish state firmly denies it. The tragedy moved the entire region, including Jordan, where several rallies were organized in tribute to the veteran journalist.
► To listen : Al-Jazeera journalist killed: Israel is “a country that frees itself from respect for the rule of law”
The climate is therefore explosive and could further deteriorate relations between the Jewish state and Jordan, more than 50% of whose population is of Palestinian origin. Especially since the dialogue between the two countries is already almost at a standstill since clashes at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque between Palestinians and Israeli security forces during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Jordanian Prime Minister had welcomed the action of the Palestinian stone throwers and 76 members of Parliament had called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Amman, provoking the anger of the Israeli authorities; Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had even assured that a ” line had been crossed “. The meeting between King Abdullah II and Joe Biden could take on the air of mediation between Amman and Tel Aviv, two historic allies of Washington.
► To read :Jordanian King Abdullah II meets Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank