Jordan’s King Abdullah will make a rare visit to the occupied West Bank Monday, weighing in on behalf of the Palestinians’ statehood drive amid stalled peace talks with Israel, officials said.
Abdullah, among the more outspoken critics of the diplomatic deadlock, will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
“The visit comes in the context of Jordan’s support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to achieve Palestinian national rights and an independent state,” a Jordanian palace official told Reuters Sunday.
The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Abdullah and Abbas would “discuss the regional situation.”
Sunday, Abbas hosted U.S. envoy William Burns, who was due to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Monday.
The Obama administration has worked to block a bid by the Palestinians to sidestep Israel by applying directly for full membership of the United Nations. Washington has also censured Israel for expanding its West Bank settlements.
Jordan is one of the few Arab countries to recognize Israel.
The government fears further instability will lead to a new influx of Palestinians which could stretch already scant resources and raise tension with Jordanians.
Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi, Amman newsroom; editing by Philippa Fletcher
