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* [[Regressive tax]]es<ref name="2feb"/>
* [[Arab Spring|Inspiration from concurrent regional protests]]
| status = * On February 2011, King [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]] dismisses Prime Minister [[Samir Rifai|Rifai]] and his cabinet<ref name="King Abdullah II of Jordan sacks government amid street protests">{{cite news
* On October 2011, Abdullah dismisses Prime Minister [[Marouf al-Bakhit|Bakhit]] and his cabinet after complaints of slow progress on promised reforms<ref name="derhally">{{cite news|last=Derhally|first=Massoud A.|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-17/jordan-s-king-appoints-pm-after-cabinet-resigns.html|title=Jordan's King Appoints PM After Cabinet Resigns|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=17 October 2011|accessdate=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020205421/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-17/jordan-s-king-appoints-pm-after-cabinet-resigns.html|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On April 2012, as the protests continues, [[Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh|Al-Khasawneh]] resigned, and the King appoints [[Fayez al-Tarawneh]] as the new Prime Minister of Jordan
* On October 2012, King Abdullah dissolves the parliament for new early [[2013 Jordanian parliamentary election|elections]], and appoints [[Abdullah Ensour]] as the new Prime Minister of Jordan<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/10/world/meast/jordan-government/index.html "Jordan's king appoints new PM to form new government"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101014654/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/10/world/meast/jordan-government/index.html |date=1 November 2017 }}. CNN.</ref>
| goals = <nowiki></nowiki>
* [[Constitutional monarchy]]<ref name="google1">[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYSG-6dugkQyDSQ5WLtsFnkHAsBw?docId=CNG.0dc8667c1044e69c192df3be444c31bf.931 AFP: Jordan nixes constitutional monarchy calls]. Google. (4 March 2011). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222103500/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYSG-6dugkQyDSQ5WLtsFnkHAsBw?docId=CNG.0dc8667c1044e69c192df3be444c31bf.931 |date=22 February 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Electoral reform]]<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/05/us-jordan-protests-idUSBRE8940ZF20121005 In biggest protest, Jordan Islamists demand change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704223758/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/05/us-jordan-protests-idUSBRE8940ZF20121005 |date=4 July 2013 }}. Reuters.</ref>
* End to corruption<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20286407 "Jordan's ex-spy chief jailed for corruption"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213122530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20286407 |date=13 February 2016 }}. BBC News, (11 November 2012).</ref>
* [[Political freedom]]
| result =
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| concessions =
| side1 = {{flagicon|Jordan}} Jordanian opposition parties<br />
{{*}}[[Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood|Muslim Brotherhood]]<ref>[http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2061860.html Muslim Brotherhood vows to ‘flood’ Jordan’s streets to press reform demands – Trend.Az] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603042658/http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2061860.html |date=3 June 2013 }}. (5 September 2012).</ref><br />
{{*}}[[Leftist]] parties<br/>
{{*}}[[Trade union]]s<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/15/jordanians-protest-over-food-prices|title=Jordanians protest against soaring food prices|last=McDevitt|first=Johnny|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=15 January 2011|access-date=16 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044845/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/15/jordanians-protest-over-food-prices|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| side2 = {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Government of Jordan]] and supporters
| side3 =
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| howmany2 =
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 =1 dead<ref name="guardian1">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/15/jordan-police-station-attack-protests "Jordan police stations attacked by gunmen during protest"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510213059/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/15/jordan-police-station-attack-protests |date=10 May 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''.</ref><br/>70 injured<ref name="BBCInjuries"/>
| casualties2 = 2 dead and 13 police injured<ref name="guardian1"/>
| casualties3 =
| arrests = 157 +<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/16/jordan-king-rally/1708985/ Jordanians rally against king, fuel price hikes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019224053/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/16/jordan-king-rally/1708985/ |date=19 October 2017 }}. ''USA Today''. (16 November 2012).</ref>
| notes =
}}
The '''Jordanian protests''' were a series of protests in Jordan that began in January 2011, and resulted in the firing of the cabinet ministers of the government. In its early phase, protests in Jordan were initially against [[unemployment]], [[inflation]],<ref name="nytimesDismissesCabinet">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/world/middleeast/02jordan.html|title=Jordan's King Dismisses Cabinet as Tremors Spread Through Region
[[Food inflation]] and salaries were a cause for resentment in the country.<ref name="2feb"/>
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Some analysts suggests that since [[Demographics of Jordan|peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians]] form the "bedrock" of the government's support, while self-identifying [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]]s are generally closer to the opposition. Such analysis suggest that many government supporters are worried that if Palestinians are allowed a greater role in the country's politics, they could drag it into the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] against Jordan's best interests. Conversely, Palestinian-Jordanian protesters want their degree of political power to reflect their significant demographic share.
However, evidence of historical and recent protests suggests that the backbone of the protests are of peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians disfranchised by liberal economic policies instituted in the country during the last decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riskandforecast.com/post/dubai/east-bank-jordanians-demonstrate-as-king-announces-plans-for-reforms_715.html
==Protests==
===Early stage===
Protests began on 14 January 2011, as protesters demanded Samir Rifai's resignation as well as economic conditions.<ref>{{cite news|last=
Demonstrators protested rising prices and demanded the dismissal of the Prime Minister and his government, but they have not directly challenged the king, criticism of whom is banned in Jordan. The demonstrators have been peaceful and have not been confronted by the police. So far no deaths, injuries or riots have been reported; however the protests' leaders said that the king had failed to take substantial steps to address mounting public resentment and they warned that unless real changes are made, that unrest could worsen. [[King Abdullah II]], a key U.S. ally, has come under pressure recently from various protesters which include a coalition of Islamists, secular opposition groups and a group of retired army generals, all of whom are calling for substantial political and economic reforms.<ref name="washingtonpost1">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/31/AR2011013103692.html
Ali Habashnah, one of the retired generals desiring reforms, said that unrest has spread to rural areas dominated by Bedouin tribes. These tribes have been a traditional backbone of the monarchy. It was the first time, he said, that the Bedouins had joined with other groups in demands for change.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/>
On 28 January, following [[Friday prayers]], 3,500 activists from the Muslim Brotherhood, trade unions, and communist and leftist organisations demanded that [[Samir Rifai]] step down as prime minister and that the government control rising prices, inflation and unemployment. Protests were reported in Amman and six other cities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/01/jordan.government|title=Jordan's king dismisses government, appoints new PM|
On 2 February, demonstrations continued in demanding that King Abdullah II sack his newly appointed prime minister. Hamza Mansour, one of the leaders of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, demanded elections to choose another prime minister. He said that Al-Bakhit "doesn't believe in democracy."<ref name="2feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-02-03-egyptregion03_ST_N.htm|title=Jordan, Yemen grapple with effects of protests|newspaper=USA Today|date=3 February 2011|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103095435/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-02-03-egyptregion03_st_n.htm|archive-date=3 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
The day after King Abdullah met with Muslim Brotherhood leaders at the royal palace, in an attempt to defuse tensions in the country, on 4 February, hundreds of people, including members of leftist groups and the Muslim Brotherhood, congregated outside the prime minister's office to demand economic and political reforms and the dissolution of parliament. They then marched to the Egyptian embassy in support of the anti-government protesters in that country.
On 18 February, protesters who gathered in central Amman to demand political reform, clashed with a small group of government supporters that eyewitnesses claim attacked the protesters with sticks and stones, before the police restored order. Eyewitnesses said about 2,000 protesters, mostly young people joined by trade unionists and others, took to the streets after prayers at the Husseini Mosque, though other reports said the number was about 300.<ref name="bbcClashesInJordan">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12507937|title=Clashes erupt at Jordan protest|newspaper=BBC|date=18 February 2011|accessdate=18 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221044059/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12507937|archive-date=21 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
About 7,000–10,000 protesters were on the streets of Amman on 25 February, in the largest protests so far.<ref name="bbcJordanBiggestRally">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12582869|newspaper=BBC|title=Jordan sees biggest reform rally|date=25 February 2011|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621034028/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12582869|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Islamic Action Front, along with 19 other political parties, called for the protests.<ref name="presstvJordanLargestRally">[http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166928.html PressTV – Jordan braces for its 'largest' rally]. Press TV (25 February 2011). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228005958/http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166928.html |date=28 February 2011 }}</ref>
In the first week of March anti-government protesters continued where opposition groups demanded such greater political freedoms as a [[constitutional monarchy]].
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On 24 March, Al Jazeera reported that around 500 protesters, mainly university students and politically unaffiliated unemployed graduates set up a protest camp in a main square in the capital to press demands for the ouster of the prime minister, seen as insufficiently reformist, as well as wider public freedoms. Other demands include dissolving the parliament, which was seen as too docile, dismantling the intelligence department and giving greater powers to the people, including a new, more proportional, election law. Jordan's opposition also wanted to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister, as they wanted the premier to be elected by a popular vote.
On 25 March, clashes occurred between supporters of the king and more than 2000 protesters camped in Gamal Abdel Nasser Circle. Some witnesses said the police stood by as government supporters moved into the square and began throwing stones.<ref name="BBCInjuries">{{cite news|title=Clashes break out at Jordan anti-government protest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12857360|date=25 March 2011|accessdate=25 March 2011|newspaper=BBC News|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110405203017/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12857360|archivedate=5 April 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> As many as 100 people were reported injured, most with head wounds, while two people are said to have been killed. However, the next day in a press conference, the commandant of public security, [[Lieutenant General]] [[Hussein Al-Majali]] confirmed that there was one death only, with 62 injured civilians, and 58 injured policemen (including a [[Brigadier General]] and a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]). Forensic medicine report confirmed that there were no signs of any injury, and that the patient actually died of [[circulatory collapse]] secondary to [[Chronic (medicine)|chronic]] [[ischemic heart disease]]. In the same press conference, Al-Majali also confirmed that 8 civilians and 17 policemen were still receiving hospital treatment at the time of the conference, and also stressed that policemen were completely unarmed and they interfered just to save the lives of people whatever their political view is.<ref>[http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=83610 السرور : لن اسمح للاعتصام بالداخلية .. والمجالي : لا اعلم اذا احتفل افراد الامن مع مسيرة"نداء وطن" | شؤون محلية | وكالة عمون الاخبارية] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424003709/http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=83610 |date=24 April 2011 }}. Ammon News (26 March 2011).</ref><ref>[http://khaberni.com/more.asp?ThisID=52128&ThisCat=1 خبرني : نبض الشارع : نقيب الاطباء ينفي تصريحات نسبها له التلفزيون] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427154008/http://www.khaberni.com/more.asp?ThisID=52128&ThisCat=1# |date=27 April 2011 }}. Khaberni (26 March 2011).</ref> On the same day of clashes, thousands gathered in Al-Hussein Gardens, west of Amman, to express loyalty and allegiance to the king, dancing to national songs and waving large Jordanian flags and pictures of the monarch.
On 1 April, nearly 400 policemen were deployed to separated hundreds of government supporters and pro-reform activists holding rival rallies outside municipal offices in Amman.
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On 13 June, the motorcade of King Abdullah II was attacked with stones and bottles by protesters in the city of [[Tafileh]], although this was later denied, a royal official stating that they were enthusiastically greeted.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan: Protesters lob stones at King Abdullah II|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13751299|date=13 June 2011|accessdate=13 June 2011|newspaper=BBC News| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617051856/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13751299|archivedate= 17 June 2011|url-status= live}}</ref> Some indication is that this was actually an outbreak of violence between the Darak ([[Gendarmerie|Jordanian Gendarmerie]]) and local unemployed protesters. It is alleged that the local mayor caused the Darak to force back the protesters not wanting his city to look bad, the protesters replied with stones and empty bottles. The King is alleged to have been 12 km away.
On 17 June, youth groups and activists will protest calling on greater reforms,<ref>[http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=12429 "Karak Gears Up For Friday Pro-Reform Protest"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618013950/http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=12429 |date=18 June 2011 }}, Ammon News. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011</ref> which the kingdom has dismissed for 2–3 years, including the election of a prime minister and cabinet.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/06/14/general-ml-jordan_8515540.html "Jordan's king: Elected PM in 2–3 years"], ''Forbes''. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011 {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
A rare outbreak of violence marred protests in Amman on 15 July, with police beating journalists and protesters alike. The [[Law enforcement in Jordan|Public Security Directorate]] offered a mixed response, accepting full responsibility for the violence and promising compensation to journalists who suffered injuries or damage to equipment, but blaming demonstrators for instigating hostilities.
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In Amman, on 29 July, around 3,000 Muslim Brotherhood activists at the demonstration raised their right hand and took an oath to continue peaceful protests until their demands for political reform in the kingdom are met.
On 14 August, clashes erupted between government loyalists and pro-reform demonstrators in a street protest in Karak after midnight.<ref>[http://www.timesunion.com/world/slideshow/Protests-in-Jordan-2956.php#photo-1103960 Protests in Jordan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130074318/http://www.timesunion.com/world/slideshow/Protests-in-Jordan-2956.php#photo-1103960 |date=30 November 2011 }}. Times Union.</ref>
After a lull in September, protests started again on 7 October, when former prime minister [[Ahmad Obeidat]] led over 2000 people in a march outside the Grand Husseini Mosque in central Amman. There were also marches in the cities of Karka, Tafileh, Maan, Jerash and Salt.<ref>[http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article513447.ece ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010191939/http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article513447.ece |date=10 October 2011 }}</ref>
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There was a further march on 15 October, as part of the global "Occupy" movement, which was held in the northern city of Salhub, which is located 50 kilometers (32 miles) from the Jordanian capital Amman. A counter-protest attacked the marchers, hurling stones and firing their guns into the air. At least 35 people were injured and 27 cars damaged in the incident.<ref>[http://presstv.com/detail/204802.html Pro-regime mob attacks Jordan demo]. PressTV (15 October 2011). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016171118/http://presstv.com/detail/204802.html |date=16 October 2011 }}</ref> The next day, a memorandum signed by 70 out of 120 lawmakers was presented to the royal palace demanding that the prime minister and the cabinet be sacked.<ref>[http://presstv.com/detail/205026.html Jordan MPs demand PM, cabinet ouster]. PressTV (17 October 2011). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018155608/http://presstv.com/detail/205026.html |date=18 October 2011 }}</ref> Much to the surprise of the opposition in the country, the king almost immediately complied, naming [[Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh]] to head the new government the next day.
Riots took place in the several cities and towns in mid November, most notably in Ramtha, which lasted three days and was sparked by the death in custody of Najem Azaizeh in Salt, which continued on and off for weeks and the towns of Qatraneh and Jafr.<ref name=tre20oct>{{cite news|title=Riots break out in northern Jordan over detainee death|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/1959399.html|accessdate=14 March 2013|newspaper=Trend|date=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603034559/http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/1959399.html|archive-date=3 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
Also, the trial of nearly 100 protesters indicted the previous April began, and much of the Government of the capitol Amman was arrested for corruption.<ref name=aly30nov>{{cite news|last=Aly|first=Bassem|title=Jordan cannot claim democratic reform amid protesters' trials: HRW|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/59498/World/Region/Jordan-cannot-claim-democratic-reform-amid-protest.aspx|accessdate=14 March 2013|newspaper=Ahram Online|date=30 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615172403/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/59498/World/Region/Jordan-cannot-claim-democratic-reform-amid-protest.aspx|archive-date=15 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December, there were protests in Amman,<ref>[http://jordantimes.com/friday-protesters--to-demand-return-of-public-lands Friday protesters to demand return of public lands] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225004055/http://jordantimes.com/friday-protesters--to-demand-return-of-public-lands |date=25 December 2011 }}. ''The Jordan Times'' (22 December 2011).</ref> and riots in the northeastern cities of Mafraq<ref>[http://jordantimes.com/calm-restored-after-clashes-in-mafraq "Calm restored after clashes in Mafraq"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225005416/http://jordantimes.com/calm-restored-after-clashes-in-mafraq |date=25 December 2011 }}. ''The Jordan Times'', (23 December 2011).</ref> and Qatraneh.<ref>[http://signalfire.org/?p=16393 Calm restored in Qatraneh]. Signalfire.org.</ref>
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===Protests subside===
For most of 2012, protests subsided. The [[Syrian civil war|uprising in neighboring Syria]], which had led to tens of thousands of deaths, dampened the enthusiasm of some Jordanian activists, who reportedly feared chaos developing in Jordan. In November 2011, King Abdullah called for a change in government in Syria, one of the first of Syria's neighboring leaders to do so.<ref name="NYT Topic">{{cite news|title=Jordan|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/jordan/index.html?8qa|accessdate=17 November 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118160143/http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/jordan/index.html?8qa|archive-date=18 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Renewed protests===
On late 1 September 2012, Jordanians from [[Amman]] to the southern city of [[Ma'an]] rallied for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister [[Fayez al-Tarawneh]] for issuing a 10 percent fuel price increase. Protestors blamed the Royal Palace for tolerating rampant corruption they say is the real reason for Jordan's economic crisis. During the rallies, Islamists, leftists and independent activists called on Amman to roll back the decision, chanting: "Jordanian people, why are they draining us?" Also at the Interior Ministry, protesters and the Muslim Brotherhood charged the price hike had been directed by the [[World Bank]].<ref>[http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2060982.html Jordanians protest fuel price hike – Trend] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603022621/http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2060982.html |date=3 June 2013 }}. (2 September 2012).</ref> Protests continued on the next day when taxi drivers blocked a main road in Amman as they abandoned their cars and marched to the ministry of transport in opposition to the hike, while citizens in the northern city of [[Irbid]] held a sit-in to protest the move.<ref>[http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2061056.html Jordan’s king suspends fuel price hike after rising protests – Trend] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906090825/http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2061056.html |date=6 September 2012 }}.(3 September 2012).</ref> Amid rising protests over the measure, King Abdullah on Sunday suspended a government decision to increase prices of the fuel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan's king suspends fuel price hike after nationwide protests |url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=92759 |accessdate=8 September 2012 |newspaper=Xinhua |date=1 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613020401/http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=92759 |archivedate=13 June 2013 }}</ref>
On early 8 September, Jordanian anti-riot forces stormed a protest in the southern city of [[Tafileh]] after participants began chanting slogans reportedly criticizing [[King Abdullah II]]. According to eyewitnesses and activists, authorities fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse a group of some 60 protesters after activists began chanting slogans insulting the monarch, arresting 15 participants. A Jordanian security source confirmed that police arrested 15 protesters who currently face charges of attempting to "undermine the regime" and "incite a riot."<ref>{{cite news|last=Gavlak |first=Dale |title=Jordan: 8 activists charged for slandering king |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gWeu9odqYYXsuvrMpgSd6bYOnIlg?docId=35e6882ce8d446e2b0ee3d6b2c95e7e9 |accessdate=10 September 2012 |agency=Associated Press |date=10 September 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Jordanian security officials refused to disclose the anti-King slogans allegedly chanted by protesters. Activists contend that their rally was peaceful prior to the riot forces’ storming. Tafileh residents had organised the rally to protest the detention of local activist Mohammed Al Amaara, who was arrested hours earlier for reportedly making statement criticising [[Queen Rania]] during an anti-government protest following Friday noon prayers. The clashes came as activists took to the streets in nine of Jordan's 12 provinces on Friday in a series of anti-government rallies urging Prime Minister [[Fayez Tarawneh]] to step down for a recent rise in fuel and water prices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clashes, arrests after protesters criticise Jordan King|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3873993.ece|accessdate=10 September 2012|date=8 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911040608/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3873993.ece|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 5 October, thousands of Jordanians attended a protest demanding political reforms in Amman, hours after King Abdullah II dissolved parliament and called early parliamentary elections. Video footage showed protesters chanting slogans and waving flags. The AFP news agency quoted people as shouting: "We demand constitutional reform before the people revolt. The people want to reform the regime."<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19840979 "Jordan protests after king calls early elections"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021085648/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19840979 |date=21 October 2018 }}. BBC News, (5 October 2012).</ref>
===2012 fuel price protests===
{{Main|November 2012 Jordanian protests}}
[[File:Jordan police in Amman during 2012 protest.PNG|thumb|right|During the protests in November 2012, Jordan police reinforcements in Amman are sent to areas of protest to keep the situation under control.]]
On 13 November, protests erupted across the country nationwide in response to an increase in fuel prices and other basic goods announced by Prime Minister [[Abdullah Ensour]]. Demonstrators burned tires, smashed traffic lights and blocked roads in several Jordanian cities. Riot police officers tried to quell some of the crowds with tear gas. There were calls for a general strike on Wednesday. Protesters blamed Jordan's problems on [[List of kings of Jordan|King]] [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]]. They also demanded the resignation of the prime minister. About 2,000 protesters chanted ""Revolution, revolution, it is a popular revolution," and "Freedom is from God, in spite of you, Abdullah," in an impromptu demonstration at a main Amman square, housing the Interior Ministry and other vital government departments. Elsewhere in [[Salt, Jordan|Salt]], 100 protesters pelted stones at policemen as they tried to break their lines to get to Ensour's home to demand his resignation. Riot police responded by firing tear gas. In some cities in Jordan's south, inhabited by tribal Bedouins who are traditional supporters of the king, hundreds of protesters took to the streets to chant slogans calling for the ouster of the prime minister, but also criticizing the king. In Mazar, dozens of protesters burned down the main court building after stealing documents. Further south in [[Ma'an]], 500 protesters blocked the streets, burning tires and throwing stones at riot police, who were firing tear gas. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In Sareeh, angry protesters burned down a gas station.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halaby |first=Jamal |title=Jordan raises fuel prices, sparking protests |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jordan-raises-fuel-prices-sparking-protests-2012nov13-story.html |accessdate=26 February 2018 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune
In response to the protests, foreign minister [[Nasser Judeh]] said the government had tried to respond to the opposition over the past year with the establishment of an independent elections commission before balloting set for January 2013 and the formation of a constitutional court, among other changes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halaby |first=Jamal |title=Jordan: 1 gunman killed in police station attacks |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jordan-1-gunman-killed-in-police-station-attacks-2012nov14-story.html |accessdate=26 February 2018 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=14 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035656/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jordan-1-gunman-killed-in-police-station-attacks-2012nov14-story.html |archive-date=27 February 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Protests Over Gas Prices in Jordan Turn Deadly|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/middleeast/jordan-protests-turn-deadly-on-second-day.html?pagewanted=1|accessdate=15 November 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222030235/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/middleeast/jordan-protests-turn-deadly-on-second-day.html?pagewanted=1|archive-date=22 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Jordanian government said Qais al-Omari was killed in a shootout with a group of armed men who assaulted a police station here on Wednesday night. But two members of his family and a witness to the killing said that he was unarmed, part of a group of about 30 unarmed men who walked to the police station to complain about abusive language they said officers had used while breaking up an earlier protest. Angry crowds then set fire to several government cars and burned down a municipal building, where a heavy contingent of plainclothes police officers was watching children play on Thursday.
On 16 November, thousands of demonstrators chanted the [[Arab Spring]] slogan "[[Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam|The people want to overthrow the regime]]" in the nationwide Jordan after Friday prayers, with escalating calls for Jordan's King Abdullah II to abdicate. Friday's protest near the main [[Al-Hussein Mosque]] in downtown [[Amman]] was peaceful, with unarmed police separating the demonstrators denouncing the ruler from a smaller crowd chanting in support of the monarch. The main crowd of about 3,000 protesters chanted "Go down Abdullah, go down," as police, some in riot gear, largely stayed away from crowd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan protesters call for 'downfall of the regime'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/16/us-jordan-protests-idUSBRE8AF1KP20121116|accessdate=18 November 2012|agency=[[Reuters]]|date=16 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117130139/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/16/us-jordan-protests-idUSBRE8AF1KP20121116|archive-date=17 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Abdullah loyalists clashed with anti-government protesters near the city's [[Wasfi al-Tal]] square on Friday night, with dozens of protesters reportedly being beaten by the king's supporters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan unrest: Clashes after fuel protest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20373021|accessdate=18 November 2012|newspaper=BBC|date=16 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118004311/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20373021|archive-date=18 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]'' news agency estimated at around 10,000 people, including [[Islamist]]s, [[leftist]]s and youth activists, chanted "Freedom, freedom, down with Abdullah." Demonstrations were also held just outside Amman in the Baqa'a Palestinian refugee camp and in the cities of Tafilah, Karak, Ma'an, Irbid and Jerash to its north.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hattar |first=Musa |title=Jordan protesters call for 'downfall of the regime' |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ifoYXWSuhevKlPejxXvheMZCxgeQ?docId=CNG.2cf3bc7be53e2f556cc0a63105c9224a.641 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |publisher=[[Google News]] |date=16 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222103509/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ifoYXWSuhevKlPejxXvheMZCxgeQ?docId=CNG.2cf3bc7be53e2f556cc0a63105c9224a.641 |archivedate=22 February 2013 }}</ref> Amid unprecedented protests by Jordanians calling for him to quit, King Abdullah II has cancelled a visit to United Kingdom he was due to make next week.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hattar|first=Musa|title=Jordan’s king cancels Britain visit amid protests|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/jordans-king-cancels-britain-visit-amid-protests/article4105074.ece|accessdate=18 November 2012|newspaper=[[Business Line]]|date=16 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119074239/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/jordans-king-cancels-britain-visit-amid-protests/article4105074.ece|archive-date=19 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
Jordanian unions held a strike on Sunday 18 November to protest fuel price rises. The head of Jordan's 15-member professional associations body said all 15 unions except the nurses' union stopped working between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on Sunday. Teachers' union also held a strike on Sunday, with spokesman Ayman al-Akur saying "the strike was observed by 70 to 75 percent of schools across the country", demanding the king intervene to reverse the decision to raise fuel prices.<ref>[http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/58519/World/Region/Jordan-unions-strike-against-fuel-price-hikes.aspx Jordan unions strike against fuel price hikes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615165117/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/58519/World/Region/Jordan-unions-strike-against-fuel-price-hikes.aspx |date=15 June 2013 }}. Ahram Online, (18 November 2012).</ref>
King Abdullah II visited the public security and gendarmerie personnel who were injured in fuel price riots and are receiving treatment at [[King Hussein Medical Center]] and wished them a speedy recovery. He praised security forces' discipline and self-restraint in dealing with the latest riots and the protest movement that began about two years ago.<ref>[http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=19119 King, Tribal chiefs visit security personnel injured in riots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222042625/http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=19119 |date=22 February 2013 }}. Ammon News (18 November 2012).</ref>
==Concerns==
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[[Image:King Abdullah portrait.jpg|thumb|King Abdullah II]]
{{See also|Cabinet of Jordan}}
On 1 February, the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah II had sacked the government as a consequence of the street protests and had asked [[Marouf al-Bakhit]], an ex-army general, to form a new cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5i7CT0mQSAPfDG6qfNW8mDM7KBNpw?docId=5820261 |title=Jordan's Royal Palace says king sacks government in wake of street protests |newspaper=Associated Press |date=1 February 2011 |accessdate=1 February 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Abdullah told al-Bakhit his authority will be to "take quick, concrete and practical steps to launch a genuine political reform process,". The reforms should put Jordan on the path "to strengthen democracy," and provide Jordanians with the "dignified life they deserve," the monarch said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Derhally|first=Massoud A|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/jordan-s-prime-minister-rifai-resigns-king-asks-bakhit-to-form-government.html|title=Jordan's King Abdullah Replaces Prime Minister|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=1 February 2011|accessdate=1 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204033415/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/jordan-s-prime-minister-rifai-resigns-king-asks-bakhit-to-form-government.html|archive-date=4 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> He also asked al-Bakhit for a "comprehensive assessment ... to correct the mistakes of the past." and also the statement said Abdullah demanded an "immediate revision" of laws governing politics and public freedoms.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110201/D9L410G00.html
Bakhit stated that opposition groups, both Islamist and leftists, might possibly be included in the new government,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkLFQ_FU6PiCgV7Rd8901exF7BsA?docId=CNG.4bf1d9b99ad76d5eb936170dbf8befbe.1c1 |title=Jordan Islamists say talks with king 'positive' |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Google News |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222103535/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkLFQ_FU6PiCgV7Rd8901exF7BsA?docId=CNG.4bf1d9b99ad76d5eb936170dbf8befbe.1c1 |archivedate=22 February 2013 }}</ref> but the [[Islamic Action Front]] immediately rejected that offer, stating that the current political conditions did not allow for them to join the government and that they were looking for real reform.<ref name="GoogleHostedNewsPoliticalReforms">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ghUWNyMXTgpARYoetwsBBBjteIwg?docId=5843256 |title=Jordan's king says political reforms have stumbled, asks Muslim opposition to back government |publisher=Google News }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Despite calls to stay away from the new government, the Islamic Action Front and five leftists were represented in a new government sworn in on 10 February.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gavlak|first=Dale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12415405|title=Jordan's king swears in new cabinet after protests|newspaper=BBC News|date=10 February 2001|accessdate=13 February 2011|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110215005610/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12415405|archivedate=15 February 2011| url-status=live}}</ref>
There were also talks of reforming electoral law to reduce gerrymandering in constituency boundaries and guarantee greater proportionality.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=34148|title=New elections law might adopt party list system|newspaper=The Jordan Times|access-date=3 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213022839/http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=34148|archive-date=13 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Taher Odwan, formerly editor-in-chief of ''Al Arab Al Yawm'', a Jordanian newspaper, that was critical towards the government, was appointed minister of media affairs and communications. Odwan pledged enhanced press freedoms and access to information.<ref name="JordanTimesPressFreedom">{{cite news|first=Hani|last=Hazaimeh|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=34409
On 11 February, following Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarak]]'s resignation, the Muslim Brotherhood stated that "Arab regimes should learn a lesson from what has happened [in Egypt]."
On 15 February, the Public Gatherings Law was reformed to allow unrestricted freedom of expression; the former law required permission from the governor to hold demonstrations. A reform of the electoral law was also promised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/politik/international/jordanien_lockert_demonstrationsrecht_1.9542882.html|title=Jordanien lockert Demonstrationsrecht|trans-title=|newspaper=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]|date=15 February 2011|accessdate=19 February 2011|language=German|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218174056/http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/politik/international/jordanien_lockert_demonstrationsrecht_1.9542882.html|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 15 March, King Abdullah II said a 53-member committee with government officials and opposition leaders would draft new laws for parliamentary elections and political parties, setting a three-month deadline for agreement on political reforms. However, the Muslim Brotherhood said it would not take part unless parliament is dissolved and a prime minister is elected from a parliamentary majority.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan’s king sets 3-month deadline for political reforms|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/jordans-king-sets-3-month-deadline-for-political-reforms/2011/03/15/ABTC7wW_story.html|date=15 March 2011|accessdate=23 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=July 2015}}</ref>
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prime ministers and cabinets, instead, elected parliamentary majority would be the ones to form future cabinets. He also said that more reforms would be announced in the future, including new election and political party laws.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan's King Abdullah vows to allow elected cabinets|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13744640|date=12 June 2011|accessdate=13 June 2011|newspaper=BBC News|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613112638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13744640|archivedate= 13 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
Prime minister Al Bakhit resigned on 17 October, after 70 of 120 deputies had called for his resignation for failing to swiftly implement the political reform package. King Abdullah appointed [[Awn al-Khasawneh]] as the new prime minister.<ref name="Guardian20111017">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/17/jordon-king-names-judge-prime-minister?newsfeed=true|title=Jordan's king names Hague court judge as prime minister|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 October 2011|accessdate=30 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201125635/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/17/jordon-king-names-judge-prime-minister?newsfeed=true|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
On April 2012, Prime Minister [[Awn al-Khasawneh]] resigns abruptly, was unable to satisfy either demands for reform or establishment fears of empowering the opposition. King Abdullah appointed former prime minister [[Fayez al-Tarawneh]] to succeed him.
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===International response===
{{Flagu|United States}} – [[United States Department of State|State Department]] spokesman Mark Toner says the Obama administration believes King Abdullah II is on the "right track" despite the protests, ""We call on protestors to do so peacefully. We support King Abdullah II's roadmap for reform and the aspirations of the Jordanian people to foster a more inclusive political process that will promote security, stability as well as economic development."<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/content/us-support-jordan-abdullah/1547111.html US Supports Jordan's King Abdullah Over Fuel Protests] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118033608/http://www.voanews.com/content/us-support-jordan-abdullah/1547111.html |date=18 November 2012 }}. Voice of America.</ref>
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