'Peaceful' former Jordanian PM says if we can, we will take Haifa back
"The Arabs do not have any power. If we ever have military power, will we let them keep Haifa? We'll take it."
By JONATHAN WEBER ROSENUpdated: AUGUST 30, 2018 16:35Protestors chanting slogans during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan July 28, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS)
In an interview with Jordan Today TV translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute, former Jordanian prime minister Abdelsalam Al-Majali claimed to be a believer in peace while simultaneously stating that if the Arabs attain military power, 'We'll take it'—referring to the city of Haifa."The Arabs do not have any power. If we ever have military power, will we let them keep Haifa? We'll take it. If tomorrow, we become stronger and can take Haifa by force, will we really decline just because we have an agreement with them [Israel]?," concluded Majali at the end of the interview.Despite Majali's closing remark, the former prime minister calls his mentality one "of peace.""My mentality is a mentality of peace. I believe that peace is the best thing for our nation in its current...or rather, at the time of the peace process, as well as today. It is the best solution for us, as Arabs, and I still believe in it. As long as you do not have force of another kind, peace is your only option."Majali served his first term as the 60th prime minister of Jordan from 1993-1995 and served a second term as the 63rd from 1997-1998.During Majali's first term in office, the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed in Washington D.C. The treaty consisted of the principles regarding borders, diplomatic relations and cooperation, security and defense, Jerusalem, water and Palestinian refugees.During the interview, Majali highlighted Jordan's five political interests: "The land, the water, the economy, the possibility of [Jordan] becoming the alternative Palestinian state and security."Majali contended that Jordan achieved all of its political interests through the Israel-Jordan peace accord and questioned Jordan's responsibility for Palestinian statehood."Its land? It got it back. Jordan wanted its water? We got it back. The economy? We restored it. And on top of all of this, we gained the respect of the world. Am I supposed to liberate Palestine? Is it my job?"The interview host pressed Majali to admit that Israel did not comply with the peace accord terms regarding the water quotas promised to Jordan, to which Majali fired back. "That's not true! Absolutely not! Israel continues to give us more water than we are due."
When prompted to give a response regarding the "Palestinian cause," Majali responded: "Well, what can you do? You lost the land to a military force. You do not have any power. All you do is talk. The Arabs do not have any power."During the conversation about the Palestinian problem, the host raised the subject of remunerations for Palestinian property lost as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Majali responded: "I'm not getting into this. It's return or compensation: They will either give them back their land or compensate them."
