Articles

Is Jordan next?

b_179_129_16777215_00_images_ARA_news_jor120227aa001.jpeg

Is Jordan next?

November 15, 2012

Riots broke out across Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest yet another hike in gas and fuel derivatives as senior officials called for calm. King Abdullah made no statement at all.

The top story in Jordan's largest paper, the state-owned Al-Rai was: "King and Kuwaiti Emir discuss bilateral relations and regional developments in a phone call," an article which contained no other information than the two leaders praising each other and vowing to boost relations - standard fare in the Arabic state-run media.
Meanwhile, Al-Rai reported that one person was killed and 12 injured in the city of Irbid when armed men tried to break into a security agency and take it over. Twelve police officers and four attackers were injured in the shootout that ensued.

Security offices are not police stations, but rather house the unaccountable branch of Jordanian law enforcement, the mukhabarat. It is in these security offices where citizens disappear, are tortured and held for as long as authorities wish, without charges or trial.

A drive-by shooting occurred on the same day at a different security office in the Shafa Badran neighborhood of Irbid, the paper reported.

In a related article, "Local notables call for preserving the nation's security, stability and property," tribal leaders "expressed their loyalty to King Abdullah II" and urged citizens to unite to overcome the vast economic problems facing the nation. They also called on the public to air their grievances "in a civilized and democratic way."

A few dispatches from the Twittersphere:

Rothman5: "Tunisia was the spark [of revolution] for [Arab] countries that are republics. I think that Jordan will be the key to the governments run by kings and princes."

Joumana Al-Ayoub Azzam: "I am sorry Hussein – we do not mean to wound your country on your birthday." (Reference to King Hussein's birthday and the recent unfavorable comparisons of the current monarch to King Hussein, his father).

Jordanian citizen Abdallah Al Shami posted on facebook: "A few quick observations:
1. The number of demonstrators is higher than at any other Friday protest.
2. The chants are louder than at any other time in Jordan.
3. The majority of those present are not Islamists, partisans or members of political parties.
4. All are young men between the ages of 20-25."

Revenge expected after Hamas assassination

The Israeli air strikes, which killed Hamas leader, Ahmad Jabari, were widely denounced in the Arabic media on Wednesday. One example comes from Saudi paper Riyadh, which blasted the headline: "The occupation [Israel] opens the gates of hell, Israel on high alert against Palestinian revenge," with the subheading underneath: "Israel declares a new war against Gaza, assassinates Hamas leader Jabari."

The paper printed a picture of the burnt-out shell of the car Jabari was traveling in at the time of the strike in the middle of Gaza City. Jabari's bodyguard, and presumed driver of the car, was also killed.

A spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said that "enemy planes" had carried out more than 20 air strikes on Gaza, killing Rowan Arafat, a three-year-old girl, and three other civilians.

"Israel has declared war on the Gaza Strip," said Islam Shahoon, the Interior Ministry spokesman, adding that the planes had targeted police stations and security agencies in the Strip.
</>
You are here: Home