As Mideast conflict wages, Jordan remains big role in making peace
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Active role
Jordan played a major role in realizing the Road Map, which envisions the creation of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace.
Jordan was a critical and vocal player in bringing forward a resolution in the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002 to adopt the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers Israel normal ties with the Arab world in return for withdrawal from territories it occupied in 1967.
The peace overture also calls for an agreed solution to the refugee problem and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"Jordan will have a major role and say in the final status issues. It is impossible to reach a solution without Jordan's full engagement," said Fahed Kheetan, a political analyst at Al Arab Al Yawm newspaper.
The analyst said that resolving the conflict is a strategic priority for Jordan, whose plans for political reform have been delayed by the lack of a solution to the decades-long conflict.
The idea was shared by political analyst Mohammad Abu Rumman, who said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict affects the Kingdom's strategic interests, national security and affects the country internally and regionally.
Looking ahead
In Rintawi's eyes, although Jordan has strategic historic positions, it is important not to blow its role and its ability out of proportion as it has limitations.
Although Jordan has been active in trying to solve the conflict from the beginning, its role has witnessed a decline in recent years, mainly due to the intransigence of successive Israeli governments and the moderate Arab camp's inability to realize tangible progress, according to Rintawi.
The country must open channels with Hamas and Iran, a matter which will enhance its political leverage, analysts believed.
Jordan, which took the sides of the moderates "currently cannot play any role in the inter-Palestinian reconciliation efforts as it has no open channels with Hamas," Rintawi said, pointing out that the Syrians, Saudis, Egyptians and Iranians also influence the course of the conflict.
"Jordan does not have plan B in case the peace process fails. Jordan does not hold enough cards in the region's political game. Jordan should have more options by opening new channels," Abu Rumman said.
He pointed out that the role of the United States in the region has declined and Turkey's popularity is increasing, providing an opportunity for Jordan to rearrange its alliances.
But analysts stressed that though Jordan's basic role to the resolution of the conflict is facing obstacles, the Kingdom has no option but to continue its mission to find a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict.
"Jordan has no choice but continue its political and diplomatic quest to resolve the conflict," said Abu Rumman.
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