Jordan's king has visited one of two small areas of land that — until a day earlier — were leased to Israel as part of their 1994 peace agreement.
Jordan's decision to not renew the 25-year lease and to reassume control over the two small territories comes amid rocky relations with Israel.
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Jordan's king has visited one of two small areas of land that — until a day earlier — were leased to Israel as part of their 1994 peace agreement.
Under the peace agreement, Jordan kept control of the enclaves but allowed Israeli farmers free access to the lands.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, third right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, with Crown Prince Hussein, fourth right, and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, third right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, with Crown Prince Hussein, fourth right, and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
King Abdullah II tweeted Monday that "Jordan's sovereignty over its territory is paramount," after touring Baqura, in the country's north.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, waves during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, with Crown Prince Hussein, left, and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Under the peace agreement, Jordan kept control of the enclaves but allowed Israeli farmers free access to the lands.
The Baqura and Ghamr areas were captured by Israel in 1950 and 1967, respectively. They cover around 1,200 acres of mostly farmland.
Jordan's agreement is only the second peace deal between Israel and an Arab country, following Egypt.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, second right, tours the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel with Crown Prince Hussein and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, third right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, with Crown Prince Hussein, fourth right, and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, third right, prays during a tour of the Baqura enclave formerly leased by Israel, with Crown Prince Hussein, fourth right, and military officers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Jordan’s decision not to renew the leases on the Baqura and Ghamr enclaves, known in Hebrew as Naharayim and Tzofar, were a fresh blow to Israel and Jordan’s rocky relations 25 years after the two countries signed a peace deal. (Yousef AllanJordanian Royal Court via AP)