‘Not an economic deal’

In response to the article, titled “Confusion prevails over gas deal with Israel” (The Jordan Times, February 17, 2016), here is an attempt to clear up some of the confusion.

First, contrary to some media reports, the prospective gas deal has not been cancelled yet.

This, despite the fact that in December 2014, an overwhelming majority of MPs voted to annul the intended gas deal with Israel.

At the time, energy prices were high and it was considered that Jordan was facing an energy crisis.

In 2016, energy prices are lower, and due to national efforts, Jordan is emerging from the crisis.

Today, we have the same Parliament and its members are unwavering in their opposition to the deal.

This position reflects the opinion of the vast majority of Jordanians who are also staunchly against any agreement with Israel, on gas or anything else.

Given that we are a proud emerging democracy, why is the gas deal still on the table?

Instead of seeing the prospective agreement shelved, we witnessed government theatrics. During a Parliament discussion on February 16 on the gas deal, the speaker of Parliament walked out without explanation, leading to an eventual loss of quorum that forced the discussion to a halt.

Silencing a democratic discussion will not change facts; the gas deal with Israel is not an economic deal for Jordan, but rather an agreement with dire geopolitical consequences.

If the international community is truly intent on supporting Jordanians on their journey towards participatory democracy, they should also reject the deal and not play any role in pushing it forward.

Mary Nazzal-Batayneh,
Amman