Israel’s Relationship with Jordan and a Palestinian State: Debunking Misconceptions

From the early days of the formation of the modern State of Israel, the question of a Palestinian state has been a hotly debated topic. A frequent misconception is that Israel has ever offered a Palestinian state on Jordanian territory. This article explores the historical context and clarifies the misconceptions around this issue.

Historical Context

The partition of the British Mandate of Palestine in the early 20th century laid the groundwork for the future conflicts in the region. The British partitioned the territory, with the Jordanian part (known as Transjordan) granted to Arab inhabitants and the rest to the Jewish inhabitants. The League of Nations (the precursor to the United Nations) envisioned a situation where there would be both a Jewish state and a Muslim state, but this plan was disrupted by political changes in the early 20th century.

Legitimate Sovereignty and Land Claims

It is crucial to recognize that Jordan is an independent sovereign state. Any attempt by Israel to offer a Palestinian state on Jordan's territory would violate Jordan's sovereignty and international law. The idea of Israel offering such a state is fundamentally flawed and unwarranted.

The 1948 Partition and Beyond

The 1948 war led to the establishment of the State of Israel, but it did not include the area that is now Jordan. Jordan itself was originally part of the area known as Transjordan. The United Nations partition plan, which was intended to create a Jewish state and an Arab state, was never fully implemented, as Jordan's King Abdullah annexed the territory that was supposed to be a separate Arab state.

Modern Era and Diplomatic Attempts

During the post-1967 period, Israel offered to return territory it captured during the Six-Day War, including the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), Gaza, and the Golan Heights, in exchange for peace agreements with Arab states. However, the Arab League responded with its famous three NOs: no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel, and no peace with Israel. This stance left the initiative in the hands of the moderate Jordanian leadership, under King Hussein.

King Hussein and Diplomatic Efforts

King Hussein was one of the few leaders in the region who attempted to engage with Israel. However, his willingness to compromise was met with internal and external challenges. While King Hussein pursued peace efforts, he did not have the full support of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which sought to depose him. Nonetheless, Israel’s intervention in the Black September crisis in 1970 helped solidify King Hussein's position.

Conclusion

In summary, Israel has never had the authority to offer a Palestinian state on Jordanian territory. The territory that is now the State of Jordan was never intended to be a Palestinian state. Historical context and international law support the sovereignty and integrity of Jordan as a legitimate and independent state. Any discussions about a Palestinian state must take place in a context of mutual respect and recognition of international borders and sovereignty.