Local

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday received Patriarch Youssef Absi, the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

During the meeting—attended by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy—His Majesty emphasised the importance of protecting the Christian presence in the Middle East, a Royal Court statement said.

The King reaffirmed Jordan’s readiness to support Syria’s efforts to preserve its security, stability, and the rights of all components of Syrian society.

For his part, Patriarch Absi noted the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, praising Jordan’s role in standing by Palestinians and His Majesty’s role in protecting the presence of Eastern Christians and defending their holy sites and churches, the statement said.

He said Jordan is a role model for coexistence and respect for Christian communities, noting His Majesty’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding through the Amman Message, “A Common Word”, and World Interfaith Harmony Week initiatives.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh and heads of the Melkite Greek Catholic churches in Jordan, Jerusalem, and Lebanon attended the meeting.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned the closure orders issued by Israel against six UNRWA-operated schools in Jerusalem’s Shaafat,, Silwan, Wadi Al Jawz, and Sur Baher neighborhoods as a “blatant violation of international law and a clear breach of immunities and privileges granted by the United Nations.”

The ministry’s spokesperson Sufyan Qudah voiced the Kingdom's “absolute rejection and denunciation of the decision to close the schools, which will deprive around 800 students from completing the school year. “

The ministry denounced the move as a “continuation of the Israeli systematic campaign targeting the work of UNRWA in occupied Jerusalem.”

Qudah said that the agency is facing “political assassination, aimed at undermining its symbolic role, which affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return and receive compensation under international law.”

He said that the Israeli’s closure orders fell within scheme to deny the Palestinian people their rights and vital services, as recognised by the international community and relevant UN resolutions. 

Qudah warned of the “catastrophic”consequences of Israel's illegal actions against UNRWA and its institutions, which provide essential and irreplaceable services, calling  on the international community to exercise pressure on Israel to halt its actions targeting UNRWA, which “plays a critical and vital role that cannot be replaced or substituted, and provide the necessary political and financial support for the agency to continue offering vital services to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation, as mandated by its UN mandate.”

AMMAN — Assistant Speaker of the Lower House of Representatives Huda Naffa said on Tuesday that thousands of children and women in the Gaza Strip have died under the rubble.

The MP noted this situation emerged after the ongoing Israeli aggression on the coastal enclave, amid "international silence and shameful bias."

Delivering a speech while heading the Jordanian parliamentary delegation to the 150th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Uzbekistan, Naffa noted some parties want to address the issue by displacing Gaza residents from their land, instead of punishing the perpetrator, as blame is placed on the victim.

She also said that the international community and its institutions are now "facing a credibility test."

Naffa referred to His Majesty King Abdullah's statement that implementation of international law has become "selective, and human rights have limitations that stop at borders and depend on differences in ethnicity and religion. This is a dangerous message, and its consequences will be dire."

The MP added that the Middle East has become a "theatre for wars, with the voice of truth rising in Jordan," calling for an end to fighting and pushing a dialogue agenda in times of crisis.

The lawmaker also stressed that Jordan has stood by the just rights of the Palestinians and all just causes across the world.

Nafaa indicated that His Majesty has confronted all attempts to displace Christians in the East after the dark plot converged with the delusions of some regional powers.

In this context, she said the holy sites, with Jerusalem's mosques and churches, have come together in love and peace under the Hashemite custodianship, which has preserved the identity of the holy city.

Jordan, she noted, has an "advanced" model that reflects the state's "deep" awareness, as the Kingdom is moving forward in modernising its political, economic, and administrative processes.

She also noted Jordan's Election and Political Parties Laws have been amended, enabling women and youth to achieve "broad" representation in Parliament.

The MP added that the National Social Protection Strategy for the years (2025-2033) enjoys "full" Royal support.

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Tuesday called on political parties, particularly those represented in the Lower House, to utilise Parliament as a platform to express their political views, rather than resorting to street protests and sit-ins.

Speaking at the opening of a Senate session, Fayez warned against the exploitation of public sentiment regarding events in Gaza and the occupied West Bank by individuals seeking to destabilise the country. He stressed the importance of safeguarding national unity and stability in the face of external challenges, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Fayez reiterated that Jordan, rooted in its Arab identity, will not allow the conflict with Israel to spill over into its territory or distract from the suffering and injustices faced by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

He urged the Jordanians to reject voices of sedition and disinformation and to stand firmly behind the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) and security services, describing them as the "nation’s shield." He also called on Jordanians to rally around His Majesty King Abdullah, commending the King’s steadfast leadership.

Highlighting Jordan’s historical resilience, Fayez said the Kingdom has consistently overcome political and security challenges, thanks to the wisdom of its Hashemite leadership, the awareness of its people, and the strength of its military and security institutions.

He reminded the public of the sacrifices made by Jordanian soldiers in defense of Palestine, citing key battles such as Bab Al Wad, Latrun, Karameh, Jenin, and Jerusalem. He stressed that Jordanians and free people across the Arab world will never forget the Hashemites' enduring commitment to Palestine.

Fayez also recalled Sharif Hussein Bin Ali’s refusal to recognise the British Mandate or accept the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, an act that led to his exile to Cyprus. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque.

He also commemorated late King Abdullah I, who was assassinated at Al Aqsa Mosque during Friday prayers, and the late King Hussein, who advocated a just solution for the Palestinian people and vigorously defended their legitimate rights. 

Fayez described late King Hussein’s unwavering stance on Palestine and Jerusalem as a cornerstone of the Arab and Islamic struggle, one that preserved holy sites in the face of decades-long Judaisation attempts.

He emphasised that His Majesty King Abdullah continues this legacy, placing the Palestinian cause at the forefront of his diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. 

The King has vocally opposed the "brutal" Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, overseen the delivery of humanitarian aid, personally participated in aid airdrops, and directed the continued operation of Jordanian military field hospitals in Gaza and other Palestinian areas.

Fayez underlined that Jordan, under Hashemite leadership and unified by its tribal and social fabric, remains a steadfast defender of the Palestinian cause. He also recalled the participation of Jordanian tribes in the 1936 Palestinian revolt and the enlistment of over 1,200 Jordanians in the 1948 war. Despite limited resources, with only 4,300 soldiers at the time, the JAF successfully defended the West Bank from occupation.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met on Monday in Abu Dhabi with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for high-level talks that focused on deepening bilateral relations and addressing regional developments.

The two top diplomats affirmed the strength of the Jordanian-UAE relations and expressed their mutual commitment to expand cooperation in various fields in line with their common development goals and the aspirations of the citizens of both countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and Sheikh Abdullah called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and urged full implementation of the recently brokered prisoner exchange agreement facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

They also explored ways to improve the coordination of humanitarian response, stressing the urgent need for unimpeded and timely delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

The two top diplomats reviewed broader regional challenges and agreed on the importance of concerted efforts to prevent the escalation of ongoing crises and to strengthen regional stability.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination to address evolving threats and promote security throughout the region.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani emphasised the crucial role of transparent and timely communication in fostering lasting trust between the government and its citizens.

Speaking at a panel discussion titled "Media and Government Communication: An Effective Partnership with Civil Society to Enhance Transparency and Trust," Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, highlighted that government communication should be grounded in the public’s right to access information and understand state policies.

The session was part of the Economic Modernisation Vision: A Partnership for the Jordan of the Future conference, opened by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shihadeh, who represented Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The conference is linked to the first phase of the Nazaha project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at promoting accountability and good governance, implemented by the Hayat Centre for Civil Society Development (Rased) with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Momani outlined key principles of the government’s communication strategy, which include transparency, public engagement, and integration with national media. He stressed that the state is committed to utilising both traditional and digital media, along with public forums, to ensure broad and inclusive communication.

He also noted that the government is in the process of drafting an executive programme for 2026-2029 as part of the economic modernisation vision. This programme will be developed through institutional engagement with stakeholders and civil society across all governorates.

On the issue of misinformation and media manipulation, Momani highlighted the government’s proactive response strategy, which includes clarifying misleading content and coordinating with ministries to address misinformation. He also pointed out that the government's media system, which involves spokespersons from all ministries, helps unify the state’s message and priorities.

Momani also stressed the importance of media literacy in combating fake news and hate speech. He referenced partnerships with the Ministry of Education and Jordanian universities to integrate media literacy into both school curricula and extracurricular activities. 

He also commended the Jordan Media Institute for its efforts, particularly its Media Literacy Academy, which was recently nominated for the Media and Information Literacy Award at the Mediterranean Forum for Journalism in Marseille.

Emphasising the critical role of youth, Momani said young people should be viewed not just as passive consumers of information but as active contributors to shaping the national discourse. "They are the new energy of communication," he stressed, pointing to government initiatives that engage youth in digital campaigns, public dialogues, and policy feedback.

Looking to the future, Momani said that the next step in government communication in Jordan involves developing a robust digital system, supported by artificial intelligence and data analytics, to monitor public opinion and enable real-time decision-making.

Responding to questions from the audience, Momani addressed the Palestinian cause, emphasising that support should come through tangible actions rather than symbolic gestures. He criticised recent calls for strikes as "political grandstanding" that ultimately do not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.

The minister also condemned offensive rhetoric targeting the Jordanian armed forces and security services, reaffirming Jordan’s unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause.

AMMAN — The Central Traffic Department (CTD) of the Public Security Directorate (PSD) on Tuesday announced that it will be using artificial intelligence to capture motorists who use their mobiles while driving on the Kingdom’s streets.

Under the slogan “Your lives matter”, the CTD used various media outlets to alert the public to the new AI procedures related to the use of mobiles while driving.

“Do not use your mobile while driving because it distracts your mind,” read one of the CTD messages on their Facebook pages.

“The use of mobiles increases the time to react to dangers and increases the possibilities of road accidents,” according to the CTD.

The fine imposed on motorists who use their mobile phones while operating a vehicle is JD50, according to the amended Traffic Law that was passed in September 2023.

Mohammad Zreaqat praised the CTD’s move, stating on their Facebook page: “Using the mobile is contributing to more traffic congestion and reckless driving by motorists”

“The situation is becoming unbearable and violating motorists should have their licenses revoked for one year,” Zreaqat wrote.

Zakaria Qudah added: “Indeed, the use of mobile phones by motorists has become a common scene in Jordan”.

This,  Qudah maintained, will surely “result in more accidents and the loss of lives”.

According to a 2023 report by the PSD, Jordan lost 560 individuals in over 170,000 traffic accidents last year.

The report indicated that there were 16469 injuries, including 826 people who were severely injured in 170,058 road accidents in 2023.

The report also said that the population of Jordan in 2023 was 11.5 million and the number of registered vehicles was 1,930,958.

The Kingdom witnessed 1.5 deaths and 45 injuries daily, according to the PSD report.

The PSD report also highlighted that human errors were attributed to 96.2 per cent of road accidents, while 2.6 per cent is attributed to road construction and 1.2 per cent to the vehicle itself.

AMMAN — Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh on Tuesday stressed that the government’s decisions are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Jordanians and fostering comprehensive economic growth.

Deputising for the prime minister at the National Dialogue Conference titled "The Economic Modernisation Vision: Partnership for Jordan’s Future," Shehadeh affirmed the government’s dedication to turning the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) into tangible results, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The conference, organised under the Nazaha Project with funding from the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, and implemented by the Hayat Rased Centre and Rasheed for Transparency International, provided a platform for civil society and government representatives to engage in dialogue.

Shehadeh highlighted the government’s efforts to exceed growth targets, noting that its policies prioritise quality of life, economic expansion, and sustainability. 

He also announced that the government in June is scheduled to start workshops with the private sector and civil society to create a four-year action plan, aligned with the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, featuring “clear timelines and measurable goals.”

Acknowledging the private sector’s “vital” role in attracting foreign investment, Shehadeh stressed that economic growth depends on public-private partnerships, underscoring the sector’s right to profit, access facilities, and contribute through taxation. 

He also noted that the prime minister’s visits to various governorates are part of a “strategic” mechanism to assess and evaluate progress, following Royal instructions.

Director General of the Hayat Centre Amer Bani Amer highlighted the importance of positive dialogue between civil society and the government for sustainable economic development. 

He referred to the centre’s policy paper on enhancing civil society’s role in the EMV as a way to support more effective participation in decision-making and implementation.

Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas González commended the “strong” bilateral relations and collaborative initiatives, noting that Spain’s development cooperation model prioritises civil society involvement, transparency and accountability.

Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to Jordan Adam Janssen reiterated the EU’s “long-standing” partnership with Jordan, describing civil society as the “cornerstone” of democratic participation and social progress. 

He said that the Nazaha Project represents a collaborative effort to improve social accountability and bridge the gap between citizens and the state, underscoring the importance of empowering civil society to influence policymaking and legislation.

The Hayat Rased Centre also presented a draft policy paper discussing civil society's role in implementing the EMV.

The paper, which was based on regional consultations, found that limited awareness among civil society groups has hindered their engagement with the EMV.

Participants identified key priorities, including addressing unemployment by promoting investment, simplifying administrative procedures, aligning education with labour market needs, supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs in underserved areas, ensuring tax fairness, and advancing major projects in energy and water sectors.

Civil society representatives also highlighted challenges such as “weak” legislative and administrative stability, “poor” coordination among stakeholders, rising public debt, inadequate financing, and a “lack” of transparency, all of which have impeded effective implementation and “eroded” public trust.

The paper recommended institutionalising civil society’s participation in decision-making through planning committees, holding regular national and local dialogues, improving legal frameworks to empower civil society, and enhancing transparency through joint oversight bodies and public reporting. 

It also called for enhancing internal governance in civil society organisations, improving communication with the government, and using advocacy tools such as public awareness campaigns and media engagement to promote shared development objectives.