Israel closes embassy in Jordan

The Israeli ambassador to Jordan, Danny Nevo and his staff have returned to Israel after being recalled by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The Jordanian embassy has been evacuated because of fears of violence and protests similar to what happened in Cairo last week. An Israeli foreign ministry source said: “Jordan is different to Egypt, but we have decided to not take the risk.” Israeli embassy staff normally return to Israel on weekends, leaving just one employee at the embassy. Hebrew Radio said that a convoy of diplomats from the embassy crossed the Allneby Bridge (King Hussein Bridge) late last night. An Israeli military source has confirmed that the embassy has been closed. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has been concerned about a demonstration scheduled to take place today, after activists called for a protest in opposition to the presence of the Israeli embassy. Haaretz newspaper said in its website the foreign ministry is not willing to risk its embassy in Jordan, so has recalled its staff and closed the embassy until further notice. Maariv newspaper quoted a source in the Israeli foreign ministry saying:  “Jordan is under intense pressure after the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Turkey and the recall of the Israeli ambassador to Egypt.” “It will be difficult for Jordan to withstand popular pressure and main the Israeli diplomatic presence in Amman, as most Jordanians oppose the normalisation with Israel.” The newspaper also pointed that it will takes weeks for the Israeli ambassador to Cairo to return, as the Israeli foreign ministry need to find an alternative building with higher security. The Israeli embassy in Amman has long been a target of protesters who reject the presence of the Israeli embassy in Jordan and the Wadi Araba peace agreement signed by Amman and Tel Aviv in 1994.