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AMMAN — The Ministry of Education and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday signed two agreements to provide food and technical assistance for the implementation of Jordan's National School Feeding Programme, as part of WFP's strategic plan for the Kingdom (2023-2027).

Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah and WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Alberto Correia Mendes signed the agreements, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

During the signing ceremony, Mahafzah highlighted the vital role of school feeding programmes in increasing enrolment rates, improving academic performance, reducing dropout rates and promoting better health and positive behaviour among students. 

He praised the "strong" partnership between the ministry and WFP in further improving this initiative.

Mendes expressed his appreciation for the cooperation relations between WFP and the ministry, highlighting the direct support to the school feeding project and the joint efforts to develop the National School Feeding Programme, one of the "most important" educational support initiatives in the Kingdom.

The School Feeding Programme currently serves 520,000 students in several education directorates and refugee camps through providing a healthy meal and two types of biscuits: date biscuits and fortified biscuits.

AMMAN — The Senate’s Palestine Committee on Monday reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of Palestinian displacement, denouncing any actions aimed at undermining their legitimate rights and aspirations.

The committee also condemned recent remarks supporting the deportation of Gaza residents, describing them as part of ongoing attempts to erase the Palestinian cause and obstruct efforts toward establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The committee also stressed the importance of aligning with His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein in countering Israeli far-right attempts to impose their agenda by distorting historical and geographical realities.

Warning of the grave repercussions of displacement for both Jordan and Palestine, the committee underscored Jordan's steadfast position that "Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians."

The committee also commended His Majesty’s unwavering efforts over the past 25 years in defending Palestinian self-determination on regional and international platforms. 

It also reiterated Jordan’s firm support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Highlighting Jordan's historical role in defending Palestinian rights, the committee referenced the legacy of the Hashemite family, dating back to the leadership of Sharif Hussein and the Arab Revolt, which championed independence and unity across the Arab world.

The committee also reiterated Jordan's commitment to a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, ensuring the Palestinian people's legitimate rights. 

It also strongly rejected any measures aimed at pressuring Palestinians into displacement and condemned Israeli far-right policies that perpetuate war and starvation in Gaza.

Also on Monday, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Dina Bashir criticised recent statements regarding Palestinian displacement, whether temporary or long-term, highlighting that they overlook key facts, particularly the sovereignty of Jordan and Egypt.

Bashir stressed that both Jordan and Egypt have firmly opposed any form of displacement since the onset of the aggression on Gaza. 

She pointed out that such statements fail to acknowledge the unwavering determination of the Palestinian people to remain on their land despite ongoing oppression and efforts to displace them.

She highlighted that since October 7, 2023, Palestinians have demonstrated their rightful claim to the land, making decisions for themselves through immense sacrifices, not seeking externally imposed solutions but standing strong in their belief in their historical right to their homeland.

Bashir also said that rejecting displacement is not just a political stance, but a sovereign Palestinian decision, representing the collective resolve of a people deeply rooted in their land. 

"Palestine is not a matter for negotiation or demographic settlements but the homeland of a resilient people who will never abandon it, no matter the level of aggression," she said.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday discussed ways to boost ties between Jordan and Turkey, as well as key regional developments.

During a phone call, the ministers reiterated the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and their mutual commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Safadi and Fidan underscored the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the delivery of urgent and sufficient humanitarian aid, and initiating the reconstruction process. 

They also highlighted ongoing cooperation between Jordan and Turkey in facilitating aid efforts to the Palestinian people.

The ministers reiterated that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only viable path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. 

They also stressed the necessity of supporting Palestinians on their land and firmly rejecting any attempts at displacement.

Safadi and Fidan also discussed efforts to support the Syrian people in rebuilding their homeland based on principles that ensure security, stability, sovereignty and the protection of the rights of all segments of Syrian society.

The ministers also reiterated their joint commitment to enhancing regional security and stability through continued cooperation and coordination.

AMMAN — The Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone resumed operations on Monday, signalling a positive step for trade and the movement of goods between the two countries, according to the zone’s General Manager Irfan Khasawneh.

Khasawneh said that operations have "returned to normal," with 39 trucks crossing from Jordan into Syria, noting that the resumption is expected to enhance trade activity and facilitate the flow of goods.

The cargo transported through the Jordanian gate included foodstuffs, solar panels, and disinfectants originating from Jordan and Gulf countries, Khasawneh added.

The announcement followed a meeting of the General Assembly of the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone Company, during which officials from both countries discussed strategies to improve the zone’s efficiency. 

Discussions focused on enhancing operations at the Jordanian Jaber and Syrian Nassib border crossings, facilitating trade and investment, and extending customs operating hours to 24/7.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) Hamdi Tabbaa met with Greek Ambassador Irene Riga on Monday to explore ways to enhance economic relations between Jordan and Greece, stressing the role of private sector institutions in fostering bilateral cooperation.

Tabbaa highlighted the strong historical ties between Jordan and Greece, calling for joint efforts to strengthen their economic collaboration and capitalize on available trade and investment opportunities.

He also underscored the importance of increasing Greek investments in Jordan across various sectors and proposed intensifying meetings between business leaders from both countries, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Tabbaa also suggested establishing a Jordanian-Greek business council to facilitate collaboration.

He noted that trade exchanges between the two countries remain modest and called for discussions on boosting trade by utilising shipping routes through Syrian territory.

Riga welcomed the proposal to establish a joint business council, recognising its potential to strengthen trade and investment ties.

She stressed the need to enhance cooperation, facilitate procedures to attract more Greek tourists to Jordan and explore untapped export opportunities. 

Riga also supported resuming trade through Syrian territory to expand economic exchange.

Trade between Jordan and Greece reached $113 million in 2023, an increase from $87 million in 2022, reflecting the growing economic interaction between the two countries.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a March 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling sentencing a man to two years in prison after convicting him of possessing illegal narcotics in Amman in October 2022.

The court declared the defendant guilty of possessing illegal narcotics while in the Shafa Badran neighbourhood on October 13.

The SSC handed the defendant a punishment of two years in prison and ordered him to pay JD2,000 in fines.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and placed him under surveillance.

“The AND agents arrested the defendant and found a small stash of Crystal meth on him,” court documents said.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court “should reduce the prison term since her client is married and has three children”.

My client possessed a small quantity of illicit drugs that was for personal use and he had no intention to sell any illicit drugs in the local market,” the lawyer also argued.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentences against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs for personal use,” the higher court said.

Therefore, the higher court maintained that the defendant deserved the punishment he received.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi, Mohammad Khashashneh and Nayef Samarat.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has received cables from senior officials and officers on the occasion of Al Israa wal Miraj, which falls on Monday, the 27th of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar, according to a Royal Court statement.

HRH Crown Prince Hussein received similar cables on the occasion.