The Jordanian government strongly denounced Monday a decision by Israel to keep Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank town of Ramallah, saying it was an obstacle to peace, according to AFP.
The government is "troubled by the decision of Israel to extend its blockade on president Arafat and considers this measure to be a challenge to the wishes of the Palestinian people and to its legitimate authority, as well as to Arab and international efforts to re-establish calm and resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations," Jordan’s Information Minister Mohammad Adwan said.
Denouncing the decision, which "does not reflect any serious interest by Israel to get out of the crisis," Adwan reaffirmed that Arafat is "the legitimate, elected president of the Palestinian people and the essential partner in the peace process, so Israel should deal with him."
In his statement, Adwan also urged the Israeli government "go back on its decision in order to avoid a new deterioration in the situation, which will lead to a new cycle of violence."
The Israeli government decided Sunday to continue the blockade imposed on Arafat since December, sparking the anger of the Palestinian Authority, which immediately suspended security contacts, without severing ties completely. (Albawaba.com)
