Safadi: 'No deals, no negations' with Israel in embassy shooting

Jordan

Published: 2017-07-25 19:02

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 10:03


Momani at today's press conference. (File photo)
Momani at today's press conference. (File photo)

Ayman Al Safadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, has assured that no deals were made with Israeli authorities following the fatal shooting of two Jordanians by an Israeli security guard, and the shooter's subsequent release back to Israel Monday evening.

Speaking at a press conference at the Prime Ministry, Tuesday afternoon, Safadi emphasised:

“No deals or negotiations were made regarding the rights of the Jordanian families whose sons died in this incident and we will ensure justice by all means.”

This is despite a government source confirming on Tuesday that Jordan has allowed the Israeli guard to return to Israel after interrogating him and “coming to an agreement with the Israeli government on the ongoing Al Aqsa crisis in Jerusalem.”

Mohammad Al Momani, Jordan’s Minister of State for Media Affairs, also confirmed that Jordanian authorities have been “following up on the implementation of the law and the realization of justice,” since the fatal shooting.

“There is a legal and diplomatic dimension to this case, because when a criminal event occurs within an embassy, there are precise legal consequences,” Momani said.

Two Jordanians, 17-year-old Mohammad Al Jawawda and Dr. Bashar Hamarneh, were shot dead by the Israeli guard following an argument inside a residential building used by the Israeli embassy.

The Israeli government alleges that one of the Jordanian men attacked the guard with a screwdriver, and that he subsequently fired his weapon in self defence.

On Monday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netenyahu stated that his country was in contact with the Jordanian government to come to an agreement that would close the embassy attack case and return their diplomat back home.

Netenyahu also spoke with King Abdullah Monday evening, who stressed the need to find an immediate solution to the ongoing crisis over Al Aqsa mosque.

While Israel and Jordan are bound by a 1994 peace treaty, tensions between the two countries have been high following additional security measures imposed by Israel at the Al Aqsa compound.

The King said it was necessary to restore calm, after tensions escalated following the instalment of metal detectors, turnstiles and additional security cameras in the Al Aqsa compound, Petra news agency reports.

On Monday evening, Israel's security cabinet announced its decision to remove the metal detectors that had led to a wave of protests amongst Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.

At 11pm Monday night, all Israeli diplomats from the embassy arrived in Israel via the Allenby Crossing. Among the contingent includes the security guard wounded in Sunday night's stabbing attack.

"All are in good health," the Prime Minister's Office said, adding their return "was made possible by the close cooperation that took place in the last 24 hours between Israel and Jordan."