Jordan scraps part of Israel peace deal

Abdullah says: “We are practising our full sovereignty on our land” |

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has decided not to renew parts of his country’s landmark peace treaty with the Israeli regime.

In a statement, Abdullah said yesterday he would be pulling out of two annexes from the 1994 peace agreement that allowed Israel to lease two small areas, Baqura and Ghamr, from the Jordanians for 25 years. The leases expire next year.

Abdullah said he had informed Israel of his decision. “We are practicing our full sovereignty on our land,” he said. “Our priority in these regional circumstances is to protect our interests and do whatever is required for Jordan and the Jordanians.”

Israeli regime eyes talks

Abdullah did not give a reason for his decision, but he has been under domestic pressure to end the lease.

Israel leased about 400 hectares of agricultural land in the southern sector of its border with Jordan, as well as a small area known as the “Island of Peace” near the Sea of Galilee. The regime in Tel Aviv said it will negotiate with Jordan for an extension of the lease.