A top Israeli official told reporters Friday that Tel Aviv is ready to help Jordan fight off any Islamist insurgents from its neighbor Iraq if requested, according to Reuters.
Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz told reporters, "We have an interest in ensuring that Jordan does not fall to, or be penetrated by, groups like al-Qaeda or Hamas or ISIS. If, God forbid, there is a need, if such a request comes, if there is an emergency situation, then of course Israel will extend all help required. Israel will not allow groups like ISIS to take over Jordan."
Steinitz added that such help could include sending troops or arms, but added that such measures were unlikely, emphasizing the Jordanian army's strength at the present time.
"Today's Jordanian military [forces are] sufficiently professional and determined," he said.
Steinitz statement follows Israel Prime Minister's own statement of support to Jordan earlier this week, in which the PM pledged to "support" and "safeguard" the Hashemite Kingdom if need be from Islamist militant forces.
Steinitz and Netanyahu's commentary is largely in response to the growing strength and presence of the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) in Jordan's neighboring countries.
Out of the Arab world, only Jordan and Egypt have full peace treaties with Israel. Amman officially signed its peace agreement with Tel Aviv in 1994.
