November 8th, 2010 by Jason

Jamal Halaby, writing for the Associated Press, explains the role that Israel and the failed peace process have had in the run-up to tomorrow’s parliamentary elections in Jordan. “Behind the anger expressed by candidates and voters lies U.S. ally Jordan’s greatest fear: that if peacemaking collapses, Israel will try to force it to take in the residents of the West Bank and stand as the Palestinian state.” According to Halaby, “[i]ssues of rising inflation, steep increases in fuel and food prices and unemployment,” have all been featured in the campaign, but “anger at Israel,” has been a primary political tool for some standing for election. “Many candidates trumpet denunciation of Israel on their campaign banners, and on the stump they call for “political resistance” to defend Jordan from the Israeli threat - avoiding any calls for violence - and for ending the peace treaty, a step King Abdullah II is highly unlikely to take.”

Posted in Elections, Israel, Jordan |