• Israel Six wounded in attack in central Jerusalem

In order to avoid a deterioration in its strategic relations with Jordan and at the request of the Hashemite monarchy, Israel has released the Jordanian deputy Imad al Adwan arrested two weeks ago at the Allenby border crossing after finding in his car more than 200 pistols and rifles destined for the West Bank. At the same time, the parliament in Amman has withdrawn the immunity of Adwan who, along with other suspects, will be investigated and tried in Jordan for smuggling.

Israel's decision to hand him over to Jordan is the result of discreet contacts so that this case does not affect the relationship between two countries that, despite the ups and downs caused above all by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, maintain the peace agreement signed in 1994. "Strategic relations, especially in the field of security, are more important than this issue," Israeli sources explain after the handover of the deputy to the Jordanian authorities despite serious suspicions.

After his arrest, revealed by Jordanian media that initially reported the discovery of weapons and gold bars in the vehicle, sources from the Israeli security agencies did not rule out the current outcome of a case that they defined as "very serious". First, because it is the largest contraband at this Israeli-Jordanian border crossing in recent years, including 194 pistols and twelve rifles. Second, because of the identity of its protagonist: a deputy who wanted to take advantage of his position to try to commit a crime after having done so several times in the past, according to the new revelations.

The Israeli internal security service (Shabak) questioned Al Adwan to find out for example who was the recipient of the weapons in the West Bank. All suspicions pointed to the Islamist group Hamas or another militia in the territory occupied by Israel to Jordan in the war of 67 although now it is not ruled out that it was common criminals who asked for the weapons. In any case, once they reach the West Bank, the weapons end up in the hands of whoever can afford them regardless of their purpose.

Shabak reveals this Sunday that since February 2022 the Jordanian deputy took advantage of his diplomatic passport on 12 occasions to illegally introduce gold bars, electronic cigarettes and birds. In recent months, Adwan also smuggled weapons receiving "large sums of money" in return. Beyond the clear economic motivation, since the arrest his words in recent years in favor of the armed wing of Hamas, responsible for numerous attacks, and against what he defines as "Zionist entity" are remembered in the media.

Israel kept the case in a low profile – including Netanyahu's absolute silence in force even today – which was only broken by a few words from Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, absolving Jordan of any responsibility to focus all criticism on the Jordanian MP: "This is a serious matter that is being investigated by security officials. It involves the smuggling of a large number of weapons and is a criminal act." Cohen added that in his opinion he should be brought to justice without ruling out that it could also be in Jordan. The fact that he did not accuse the Jordanian authorities or the legislator of "assistance to terrorism", emphasizing the criminal and economic aspect, helped the pact between the two countries to seal the case.

Jordanian Parliament Speaker Ahmed Safadi has confirmed that his lawmaker will not enjoy diplomatic immunity as security forces arrested several suspects linked to the case. According to the official Jordanian news agency Petra, the decision to withdraw Adwan's immunity "is based on investigations conducted by Jordanian official authorities and evidence against him and his confessions of trade and smuggling of firearms on several occasions together with the MP." He adds that the contraband also consisted of other materials such as gold and e-cigarettes. The case falls under the responsibility of the Prosecutor General of the Security Court in Jordan.

According to Safadi, Adwan's release is "the result of the efforts" of King Abdullah II and Jordanian diplomacy.

A sensitive relationship

After returning to power more than four months ago, Netanyahu has sought to improve past abysmal relations with King Abdullah II and, in the process, calm his fears about the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history.

In January, the veteran Israeli leader met with the Hashemite monarch in Jordan to discuss regional (basically Iran) and bilateral aspects and especially the always sensitive issue of the Noble Sanctuary (Islam) or Temple Mount (Judaism) in Jerusalem. At the beginning of April, the tension around this factor, as sacred as it was explosive, was the trigger for a deterioration of relations. Violent clashes between Israeli police and hundreds of Palestinians at the al-Aqsa mosque on one night in the middle of the month of Ramadan drew widespread condemnation from Arab countries with Jordan leading the way. "Israel is pushing us into the abyss of violence and undermining the peace treaty with Jordan," denounced Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi recalling the role of custodian of his country in the sanctuary and represented in the Islamic entity that administers the Esplanade of the Mosques (Wakf).

In the case of the deputy on suspicion of smuggling, however, Jordan opted for the discreet line and agreed with Israel on the one hand to accuse him and on the other to conclude that it is a criminal case.

Criticism in the Israeli government

The delivery of the deputy to Jordan has deepened the unease of the ultranationalist party led by Itamar Ben Gvir and member of Netanyahu's government. "The decision to release the terrorist who tried to bring here hundreds of weapons to be used in attacks and criminal acts in the heart of Israel is a strategic and ethical error," denounces Ben Gvir who criticized not being called to the restricted security forums. It also demands that the government "cease its policy of condescension and weakness towards Gaza, the Jordanians, the Lebanese and any terrorist who seeks to attack Israeli citizens." Regardless of this case and as a sign of protest for the "weak response to the attacks (of projectiles) from Gaza" and to demand that the Government "make an authentic right-wing policy", Ben Gvir did not attend the weekly meeting of the Executive this Sunday in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu's decision on the Jordanian lawmaker widens the gap — so far only rhetoric — with one party in his coalition but avoids the possibility of opening another with Jordan.

  • Jordan
  • Israel
  • Hamas
  • Islam
  • Iran

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Learn more