Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz thanked Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday for his “efforts to maintain stability in the region and to strengthen peace and normalization” during a meeting between the two in Amman.
Gantz highlighted the “strategic importance of strong and enduring relations between Israel and Jordan, which contribute to the security and prosperity of both nations,” according to a statement from the defense minister’s office.
“The dialogue focused on security and policy topics. Minister Gantz thanked His Majesty for his leadership and for the Kingdom’s critical role in maintaining regional peace and stability,” the statement said, adding that Gantz “also welcomed the expansion of relations between Jordan and the current Israeli government, and expressed his commitment to further developing security, economic and civilian exchanges.”
נפגשתי היום עם מלך ירדן, עבדאללה השני, והודיתי לו על פעילותו לשמירה על היציבות באזור ולחיזוק השלום והנורמליזציה. במסגרת הפגישה דנו בסוגיות ביטחוניות, מדיניות וכלכליות. אני מברך על העמקת היחסים האסטרטגיים עם ירדן בממשלה הנוכחית, ואמשיך לפעול לחיזוק השלום בין המדינות. pic.twitter.com/RH35LAbuCz
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) January 5, 2022
King Abdullah, however, focused his efforts on advocating for the Palestinian Authority.
The Jordanian government said in its separate official statement that during the meeting, “King Abdullah reiterated the need to maintain calm in the Palestinian Territories, and to take the necessary measures to create the horizon needed to achieve just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution.”
The statement added that a number of issues of “mutual concern” were also discussed, “as well as means of enhancing security and stability in the region.”
The meeting was attended by the Minister’s Chief of Staff, Maayan Israeli, Director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau, Zohar Palti, and the Military Secretary, Yaki Dolf from the Israeli party.
On the Jordanian side, H.M. was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Ayman Safadi, Director of the Political Affairs Directorate, Mr. Moath Al Zu’bi and Director of His Majesty’s Office, Dr. Jafar Hassan.
