King Abdullah opens newly elected Parliament

Jordan’s King Abdullah II inaugurated on Monday a newly elected Parliament with an increased number of Islamist lawmakers, delivering a speech that included strong criticism of Israel. 

The speech underscored the political unease in Jordan, a country with a significant Palestinian population and a peace treaty with Israel since 1994.

Jordan has long managed dissent carefully, even during periods of heightened tension, such as wars in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, which have sparked mass protests against Israel. 

The monarchy is particularly wary of potential Israeli escalations in the West Bank that could lead to a mass exodus of Palestinians across the Jordanian border.

These concerns are compounded by the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency in January, as he is a strong ally of Israel’s right-wing government. Jordan views such developments as potential threats to its stability.

“Jordan’s future will not be dictated by policies that do not align with its interests,” King Abdullah declared in his address to the newly elected Parliament. 

His remarks, frequently interrupted by applause, included a condemnation of Israeli aggression in Gaza and violations in the West Bank.
“We are working tirelessly through Arab and international efforts to end this war,” he added.

The new Parliament was elected under revised rules designed to allow for a broader range of political representation. 

As a result, the Muslim Brotherhood has doubled its parliamentary presence, now holding about one-fifth of the seats, making it the largest single bloc in the legislature. Despite this, the majority of seats remain controlled by tribal representatives, centrists, and pro-government figures.

“These elections mark a new phase in the process of progress and modernization,” King Abdullah said.

Bolstered by widespread anger over the war in Gaza, Islamist lawmakers campaigned on a platform of support for Hamas, criticizing Jordan’s pro-Western stance and advocating for a reassessment of the country’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel. Their growing influence reflects shifting political sentiments within Jordan as regional conflicts intensify.

Jordan faces a delicate balancing act as it navigates mounting domestic pressures and geopolitical challenges. The newly elected Parliament, with its more diverse composition, represents an opportunity for progress but also highlights growing divisions, particularly over Jordan’s relationship with Israel.

As King Abdullah seeks to maintain stability, his firm stance against Israeli actions and calls for broader Arab and international engagement signal Jordan’s commitment to addressing the region’s pressing challenges while safeguarding its national interests.