Why Israel-Jordan crisis lasted so long
After a tough reconciliation effort, Israel and Jordan have mended relations from the crisis that erupted over the shooting incident in Amman.
“It all happened because of one photo. This affair could have ended much sooner.” This was what a senior member of Israel’s Security Cabinet told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, six months after the July 2017 shooting to death of two Jordanians by an Israeli Embassy guard that set off a severe crisis between the countries.
This week, after tumultuous shuttle diplomacy between King Abdullah’s palace in Amman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, the crisis appeared to be nearing resolution. Now, after Israel agreed to apologize publicly, pay millions of dollars in compensation, replace its ambassador in Jordan and complete its investigation of the fatal incident, the king has finally given in to the heavy pressure exerted on him in recent months. The Israeli Embassy in Amman will reopen as soon as a new ambassador is found to run it.
