Senior Saudi commentator: "Palestinians need to get citizenship from Jordan" Israel today

The Palestinians must integrate civilly and politically into the Kingdom of Jordan, according to an article by a Saudi writer, who is considered close to the government, which has caused a stir in the Arab press in recent weeks.

The writer is Ali Shihabi who is a member of the advisory council for the Niem project - the futuristic city being built on the shores of the Red Sea.

In the past, he has held a number of senior positions in the fields of banking and communications.

In an article published this month, Shihabi writes that Israel is a reality on the ground that needs to be accepted.

He said, "The Palestinians must adapt to the painful reality and move on with their lives without being delayed because of false hopes and illusions."

In the article, he sharply criticizes the Palestinian refugees and claims that other refugee communities, which did not receive similar support, were able to recover.

Among other things, he notes that the illusion of return served the interests of Arab regimes by giving them an excuse not to grant citizenship to refugees.

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Photo: IPA

Against this background, the Saudi adviser claims that the main Palestinian problem is the lack of citizenship that makes it difficult for mobility and freedom of movement.

He therefore proposes a future kingdom that includes Jordan, the Gaza Strip and territories in Judea and Samaria, which are populated by Palestinians, are continuously connected and connected to Jordan, ie not enclaves. Which maintains peace, as does the argument about the lack of a partner.

Shihabi notes that Jerusalem is a strong bargaining chip of the Palestinians while a symbolic waiver of claims to Jerusalem with appropriate arrangements in the holy places can be used in favor of his plan.

Regarding Palestinians in Arab countries, including Lebanon, the author notes that they will be able to obtain citizenship of the new Jordanian entity while receiving resident rights in Lebanon.

This will allow the Palestinians to receive full civil rights and foreign residency.

The article drew sharp criticism.

A Jordanian newspaper reported that "For those who do not know Mr. al-Shihabi, he is the son of the former Saudi ambassador to Turkey and the United Nations and Pakistan."

"Shehabi is considered part of the elite close to the Saudi heir and has failed to promote Ben Salman in Washington."

It is also written that this is a "dangerous article in its empty language, which repeats the agendas of the Israeli right that Jordan should be the alternative homeland of the Palestinians through Palestinian citizenship. "It threatens the existence of Jordan. King Abdullah has repeatedly rejected it."

Another publicist noted in an article in the Rai Al-Yom newspaper: "I followed with sadness and disgust a few days ago the article by the Arab writer whose article came in the form of poisoned political ideas about Jordan and Palestine and hurts their people ... especially in Jordan unfortunately. The author threw it behind him. The Israel Service and Zionism and its expansion projects.

The author claimed that "the article is in fact an experimental balloon carrying political and economic messages and deliberate decisions made. He was interested in broadcasting them in the media to do one main thing - eliminate the Palestinian issue at the expense of the Jordanian state."

This storm comes when Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman embarks on a political campaign.

According to the Reuters news agency, Ben Salman is expected to arrive in Egypt tomorrow for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

He is expected to visit Jordan and Turkey later.

Were we wrong?

Fixed!

If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us