Jordan's king announced Sunday that his country is retaking "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, reflecting the cool relations between the neighboring countries as they mark the 25th anniversary of their landmark peace deal.
King Abdullah II had said last year that he wouldn't renew the parts of the 1994 treaty that gave Israel a 25-year lease of the two small areas, Baqura and Ghamr. Even amid mistrust and a looming deadline, Israel was hoping a solution could be found.
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Jordan's king announced Sunday that his country is retaking "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, reflecting the cool relations between the neighboring countries as they mark the 25th anniversary of their landmark peace deal.
"Today, I announce the expiration of the Peace Treaty annexes on Ghamr and al-Baqura and the imposition of our full sovereignty over every inch of those lands," he said.
"Israel regrets Jordan's decision to terminate the annexes," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
In Jordan, where over half the population are believed to be Palestinian refugees or their descendants, public opinion has remained largely against normalized relations with Israel.
They became part of Jordan after the kingdom gained independence in 1946. Baqura, in the northern Jordan Valley, was captured by Israel in 1950. Ghamr, near the city of Aqaba in southern Jordan, was seized in the 1967 Mideast War.
But the site also has a painful history. In 1997, a Jordanian soldier opened fire at an Israeli crowd, killing seven schoolgirls on a class trip.
But in a speech to parliament, the king appeared to put an end to that.
FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2019 file photo, Israelis visit the Naharayim park on Israel-Jordan border. The Naharayim park opened 25 years ago as a symbol of the landmark peace agreement between Israel and Jordan. Now, as the two countries mark a quarter century of official relations, the park and its "Isle of Peace" are being shuttered. Jordan's King Abdullah II announced Sunday that two pieces of land leased by Israel would be returned to the "full sovereignty" of Jordan as the two countries marked a chilly 25th anniversary of their landmark peace agreement. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit, File)
"Today, I announce the expiration of the Peace Treaty annexes on Ghamr and al-Baqura and the imposition of our full sovereignty over every inch of those lands," he said.
The Israeli and Jordanian foreign ministries announced that Israeli farmers would be allowed to harvest this season's crops in Ghamr, known in Hebrew as Tsofar. They also said that Jordan would respect private land ownership rights at Baqura, or Naharayim in Hebrew.
But Jordan's Foreign Ministry said farmers would require a visa and have to enter through the country through official border crossings, instead of the former system in which they could simply enter the areas freely.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, third left, reviews an honor guard before giving a speech to Parliament in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The king announced "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, ending a 25-year arrangement spelled out in the countries' landmark peace agreement. King Abdullah II said Sunday that Jordan would end the "annex of the two areas, Ghumar and Al-Baqoura, in the peace treaty and impose our full sovereignty on every inch of them." (AP PhotoRaad Adayleh)
"Israel regrets Jordan's decision to terminate the annexes," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
The announcement marked a new blow to relations that, after the treaty, began with great optimism but have steadily deteriorated. Jordan's agreement is only the second peace deal between Israel and an Arab country, following Egypt.
The accord remains a vital strategic asset for both countries, which maintain tight security cooperation and joint economic projects. But Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its policies in east Jerusalem, where Jordan has custodial rights over Muslim holy sites, have repeatedly raised tensions over the years.
Jordan's Queen Rania arrives for the opening of Parliament in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. During a speech to Parliament, King Abdullah II announced "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, ending a 25-year arrangement spelled out in the countries' landmark peace agreement. The king said Sunday that Jordan would end the "annex of the two areas, Ghumar and Al-Baqoura, in the peace treaty and impose our full sovereignty on every inch of them." (AP PhotoRaad Adayleh)
In Jordan, where over half the population are believed to be Palestinian refugees or their descendants, public opinion has remained largely against normalized relations with Israel.
Just two weeks ago, Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel in protest against the detention of two Jordanians for suspected security offenses. They were released last week after being held for two months. They were detained while entering the West Bank from Jordan through an Israeli-controlled crossing.
Baqura and Ghamr were leased to Jewish farmers early last century.
Jordan's Queen Rania arrives for the opening of Parliament in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. During a speech to Parliament, King Abdullah II announced "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, ending a 25-year arrangement spelled out in the countries' landmark peace agreement. The king said Sunday that Jordan would end the "annex of the two areas, Ghumar and Al-Baqoura, in the peace treaty and impose our full sovereignty on every inch of them." (AP PhotoRaad Adayleh)
They became part of Jordan after the kingdom gained independence in 1946. Baqura, in the northern Jordan Valley, was captured by Israel in 1950. Ghamr, near the city of Aqaba in southern Jordan, was seized in the 1967 Mideast War.
Those leases were incorporated into the Oct. 26, 1994, peace deal as symbols of peace and friendship.
Baqura's spot on the Jordan River had made it a popular tourist site for Israelis and included a small park and picnic area as well as an "island of peace" in Jordanian territory that Israelis can visit.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, reviews an honor guard before giving a speech to Parliament in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The king announced "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, ending a 25-year arrangement spelled out in the countries' landmark peace agreement. King Abdullah II said Sunday that Jordan would end the "annex of the two areas, Ghumar and Al-Baqoura, in the peace treaty and impose our full sovereignty on every inch of them." (AP PhotoRaad Adayleh)
But the site also has a painful history. In 1997, a Jordanian soldier opened fire at an Israeli crowd, killing seven schoolgirls on a class trip.
The late King Hussein visited Israel shortly after the attack to personally apologize to the families of the victims. The king remains a beloved figure in Israel for what was seen as a courageous act.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, reviews an honor guard before giving a speech to Parliament in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The king announced "full sovereignty" over two pieces of land leased by Israel, ending a 25-year arrangement spelled out in the countries' landmark peace agreement. King Abdullah II said Sunday that Jordan would end the "annex of the two areas, Ghumar and Al-Baqoura, in the peace treaty and impose our full sovereignty on every inch of them." (AP PhotoRaad Adayleh)