Gaza War: Mass Protests in Jordan Against Peace Treaty with Israel

Thousands of Jordanians have taken to the streets near the Israeli embassy in Amman, expressing their strong opposition against the country’s peace treaty with Israel amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

This wave of protests, which began on Thursday, marks the continuation of a significant public outcry that has been growing over the past five days.

The focal point of the demonstrators’ grievances is the peace agreement with Israel, which many Jordanians view unfavorably. Chants such as “They said Hamas is a terrorist. All of Jordan is Hamas,” and demands for the closure of the Israeli embassy underscore the depth of sentiment against the normalization of ties with Israel, formalized in the 1994 peace treaty.

The protests, taking place in a typically affluent neighborhood of Amman, have not only seen the display of Palestinian flags but also the emergence of placards and posters symbolizing solidarity with Gaza and Hamas. The figure of Hamas’ military spokesperson, Abu Obaida, has notably resonated with the protesters, elevating him to a status of a folk hero among many in the Arab world.

Despite the passionate demonstrations, Thursday’s rally was conducted peacefully, thanks in part to heightened security measures. This calm contrasts with earlier instances of conflict earlier in the week, where clashes with riot police occurred. Nonetheless, a determined group of protesters remained on the streets well into the night, signaling their intent to continue their vigil.

This surge of protest activity comes against the backdrop of intense scrutiny from international human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. These groups have criticized the Jordanian authorities for what they see as efforts to suppress freedom of expression through arrests and harassment of demonstrators.

The protests reflect broader regional unrest following the devastating effects of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The conflict, triggered by a Hamas incursion into Southern Israel in early October 2023, has sparked significant outrage among Jordanians, many of whom share Palestinian heritage.

While Jordanian officials have stated that peaceful protests are permissible, they have issued warnings against any actions that might lead to unrest or attempts to approach the borders with the Israeli-occupied West Bank or Israel itself.