Jordanian FM calls on international community to oppose hate speech against Palestinians

ByNews Desk- The Cradle

On the same day, the Jordanian parliament voted to expel the Israeli ambassador from the kingdom over Smotrich's incendiary statements

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi urged the international community on 22 March to oppose the incitement of hate speech against Palestinians, as it “fuels violence” and results in the violation of human rights. 

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement disclosing that Safadi held a phone conversation with Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, essentially clarifying the dangers of “racist ideologies” conveyed in a “disgusting manner” in the statements of the Israeli Minister of Finance Betzalel Smotrich, who denied the existence of the Palestinian people and attempted to delegitimize their rights during a press conference in Paris. 

Smotrich, who heads a Jewish supremacist party in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, said there was “no such thing as a Palestinian people,” history, or culture. 

These hateful remarks were made by Smotrich as he used the map of the so-called ‘Greater Israel’ that includes the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and parts of Syria and Saudi Arabia on his podium.

The Jordanian foreign minister also stressed that silence in such circumstances will enable Israel’s far-right government and is “unacceptable and dangerous.”

In response, Borrell emphasized that Tel Aviv must take a stance on the matter and confirm that Smotrich’s remarks do not reflect the rhetoric of Israel. He added that the EU should reject Israel’s measures that undermine adherence to the two-state solution in order to achieve peace.

On the same day, the Jordanian parliament voted to expel the Israeli ambassador from the kingdom to protest Smotrich’s incendiary statements and actions towards Jordan and Palestine.

A day prior, Jordan accused Smotrich of violating the 1994 peace treaty after giving his racist speech.

Over the last several months, the situation across Israel has descended into chaos due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial policies, the violent rhetoric of his close allies, and a marked uptick in the activities of Palestinian resistance groups in the occupied West Bank.

The situation has led to a shadow ban of Netanyahu from the White House, the suspension of multi-billion arms deals with Israel’s Arab partners, mass anti-government protests, and significant capital flight by investors.