Jordan–Israel relations

Jordan–Israel relations
Country1	Jordan
Country2	Israel
Established	26 October 1994
Treaties	Israel–Jordan peace treaty

Jordan–Israel relations describe the bilateral interactions between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel, shaped by conflicts such as the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War, agreements including the Israel–Jordan peace treaty and issues surrounding the Palestinian National Authority, West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Relations have involved strategic cooperation on security, water, and energy between institutions like the Jordanian Armed Forces, the Israel Defense Forces, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and the U.S. Department of State, while domestic politics in Amman and Jerusalem and regional dynamics with Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran influence ties.

History

The modern trajectory began after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, when the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan administered the West Bank and East Jerusalem until the 1967 Six-Day War when the Israel Defense Forces captured those territories. Jordan signed a secret armistice agreement with Israel following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and later engaged in the 1973 Yom Kippur War indirectly through regional alignments with Syria and Egypt. The 1987–1993 First Intifada and the 1991 Madrid Conference set the stage for direct talks, culminating in the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty, negotiated with mediation by the United States under Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton and envoys from the Quartet on the Middle East. Subsequent crises, such as the Second Intifada, the 2000 Al-Aqsa Intifada, and regional upheavals like the Syrian Civil War and the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant affected bilateral trust, while high-level visits by monarchs such as King Hussein of Jordan and King Abdullah II of Jordan to Israeli Prime Ministers including Yitzhak Rabin and Benjamin Netanyahu have punctuated the relationship.

Diplomatic Relations and Treaties

Diplomatic normalization advanced through the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty that resolved territorial claims near the Jordan River and established permanent diplomatic missions in Amman and Tel Aviv. Annexes addressed water-sharing, security coordination, and the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Temple Mount with roles for religious custodianship tied to the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. Later agreements included memoranda on natural gas imports from Israel to Jordan, and the 2013 and 2016 deals on energy trade signed by ministers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jordan) and Israel’s Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources. Bilateral legal frameworks interact with multilateral instruments like United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and regional initiatives such as the Arab Peace Initiative.

Security and Military Cooperation

Security ties have encompassed intelligence-sharing on threats from al-Qaeda, ISIS/ISIL, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed proxies, with coordination between the Jordanian Armed Forces, the Israel Defense Forces, and security services including Jordan’s General Intelligence Directorate and Israel’s Shin Bet. Joint operations and border coordination near the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley have involved liaison mechanisms alongside U.S. military assistance from agencies like the United States Department of Defense. Military exercises, arms procurement from suppliers like the United States and interoperability on counterterrorism have been balanced against political sensitivities tied to incidents such as the 2014 killing of Raed Zeiter and other cross-border tensions.

Water, Energy, and Economic Ties

Water-sharing remains central, governed by treaty annexes addressing the Jordan River basin, the Yarmouk River, and aquifer rights involving entities like the Jordan Valley Authority and Israel’s Mekorot. Energy cooperation has included the 2014 Israeli natural gas export deal involving companies such as Noble Energy, Delek Group, and Jordanian utilities, later restructured amid domestic protests and judicial scrutiny in Amman. Economic links span trade, tourism, and infrastructure projects with involvement from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and investors from United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as cross-border labor flows affecting sectors in Irbid and Eilat.

Border and Migration Issues

Border management at crossings like Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Bridge, Sheikh Hussein Bridge, and the Yitzhak Rabin Crossing involves coordination on visas, customs, and Palestinian movement between West Bank and Jordan. Migration pressures from the Syrian Civil War, refugee populations in Zaatari and Azraq camps, and labor migration have complicated border policies, with involvement from UNHCR and humanitarian NGOs. Security incidents, smuggling, and periodic closures reflect tensions over sovereignty, while cooperative mechanisms address transboundary crime through liaison offices and joint patrols.

Palestinian Question and Jerusalem

The Palestinian issue remains central: Jordan’s 1994 treaty recognized Palestine Liberation Organization roles and Jordan retained a special role over Islamic holy sites as custodian, reaffirmed by agreements with Pope John Paul II visits and statements from the Hashemite royal family. Disputes over East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque have provoked diplomatic crises, protests in Amman and Ramallah, and interventions by actors including the European Union and the Arab League. Jordan hosts Palestinian refugees from 1948 Palestinian exodus and 1967 Palestinian exodus, engages with the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah, and supports two-state solution frameworks aligned with United Nations resolutions.

Public Opinion and Cultural Exchanges

Public sentiment in Jordan and Israel has fluctuated with events: opinion polls by organizations such as the Pew Research Center and Arab Barometer show varied support for normalization, influenced by the Gaza War cycles and diplomatic incidents. Cultural and academic exchanges involve universities like University of Jordan and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, NGOs, interfaith delegations including Christian and Islamic religious leaders, and sports diplomacy through events in Amman and Tel Aviv. Civil society initiatives by groups such as Peace Now and Jordanian advocacy organizations work alongside media outlets like Al Jazeera and The Jerusalem Post to shape narratives.

Category:Foreign relations of Jordan Category:Foreign relations of Israel