Rivlin : Jordan diplomatic crisis exaggerated

Israeli Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin said Sunday that peace between Israel and Jordan had benefited both countries, despite a dispute over an undiplomatic letter. Rivlin told Israel Radio that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and "this is a reality," responding to Jordan's summoning of Israel's ambassador over a letter describing the city as such. The speaker added that he was happy to meet with Tahir al-Masri, who was born in Nablus, to resolve the dispute which began after Rivlin sent a letter to Jordanian officials praising Israeli accomplishments. Rivlin said he hoped to show al-Masri that Israel stood by Jordan. After receiving the letter, al-Masri notified Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh of the private correspondence, which he said broke rules governing diplomatic channels between the countries. The letter is an "embodiment of Israel’s arrogance, boasting and racism as well as perverting historic facts to prove Israel’s claims," al-Masri said at the time.