Netanyahu meets King Abdullah II in Jordan in first official foreign trip as new PM
Jordan and Israel signed a peace agreement in 1994, but relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated in recent years.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Tuesday, marking his first official diplomatic meeting abroad with a foreign leader since the taking office last month.
“The two leaders discussed regional issues, especially strategic, security and economic cooperation between Israel and Jordan, which contributes to regional stability. They also praised the long-standing friendship and partnership between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom,” a press release from Netanyahu’s office said.
Tensions between Israel and Jordan ran high earlier this month after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount, causing widespread condemnation among Muslim countries, including Jordan.
According to a status-quo agreement between Jordan and Israel from 1967, Jordan remained the holy custodian of the site, with Jews allowed to visit but not pray there.
While Ben-Gvir was technically not violating the status-quo, his frequent calls for Jews to be allowed to pray at the site has provoked Muslim countries.
The relationship between King Abdullah II and Netanyahu deteriorated in recent years, especially due to repeating clashed between Israeli security forces and Palestinians on the Temple Mount.
King Abdullah also warned Netanyahu in 2020 about his calls for West Bank annexation, saying it could lead to a “lead to a massive conflict.”
Likud lawmaker Danny Danon is expected to bring forward a bill in Knesset that will see the Jordan Valley annexed, something that could trigger another diplomatic crisis with Jordan.
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