Shop owner unfazed by official reprimand over Israeli flag

AMMAN — A perfumery owner in Irbid, who painted the Israeli flag on the ground at the entrance of his shop last year for people to step on, is ready to do it again although he might have to pay a fine of JD3,000, his son said on Tuesday.

Security personnel told Abed Al Fattah Jaroun that this kind of action is not allowed because there is a peace treaty between Jordan and Israel, his son, Qusai, told The Jordan Times.

The authorities erased what was left of the flag, which according to Qusai, was painted at the beginning of what is now known as the “third Palestinian Intifada” several months ago. 

Qusai added that his father was referred to the Irbid governor on December 29, 2015, where he signed a pledge not to paint the Israeli flag in front of his shop again and that if he did, he would have to pay a JD3,000 fine. 

But the 68-year-old’s principles “will remain unchanged”, his son said, stressing that he is ready to repaint the flag and pay the fine.

Qusai said his father painted the flag in protest against the Israeli acts of aggression and injustice towards Palestinians. 

Abed Al Fattah told the authorities that his freedom of opinion allows him to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians against the Israeli occupation and that this is the only way he can do it, since his age and health condition prevent him from participating in marches and protests, according to Qusai.

Several Israeli media outlets have published the story.