Joel C. Rosenberg: Lynn and I were invited to Jordan to meet King Abdullah II. Here’s a report on our trip and the threat ISIS poses to Jordan.

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In March, Lynn and I were invited to Jordan to meet King Abdullah II. Here’s a report on our trip and the threat ISIS poses to Jordan. by joelcrosenberg Last month, Lynn and I were blessed with the tremendous honor of spending several days in Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II. Our visit included tours of various military bases and the Zaatari refugee camp, briefings from senior military officials, and an up-close look at how His Majesty is dealing with the Syrian civil war, a tidal wave of refugees, and the growing threat of the Islamic State. We were deeply grateful for the opportunity and came away even more impressed with the king's leadership than when we arrived. But we also saw how urgently Jordan needs more help from the West and the Arab world -- before it's too late. This morning, The Jerusalem Post published an op-ed I wrote on my observations from the visit. Here it is in full. Please feel free to share it with others, and please keep the king, his family, and the people of Jordan in your regular, faithful prayers. Thanks. MEETING WITH JORDAN'S WARRIOR KING A first-hand look at how the West’s most faithful Sunni Arab ally is confronting Islamic State. By Joel C. Rosenberg, The Jerusalem Post, April 18, 2016 It isn’t often a novelist with dual US-Israeli citizenship has the opportunity to meet a Sunni Arab monarch, but last month I had the honor of spending time with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. It was absolutely fascinating to spend time with a moderate Muslim leader so deeply committed to defeating Islamic State (ISIS) and the forces of violent jihad. The king invited my wife and me on a five-day visit to the Hashemite Kingdom after reading my latest political thriller, The First Hostage. The novel focuses on a plot by ISIS leaders to launch catastrophic chemical weapons attacks against the US, Israel and Jordan, target the king and seize Jordan to become part of its caliphate. Upon arriving in Amman, my wife and I had a private luncheon with Abdullah at the National Crisis Center, a high-tech war room reminiscent of Jack Bauer’s fictional Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) headquarters in the TV series 24. From there, the king invited us to join him at a live-fire military exercise of Jordanian air and ground forces near Zarqa. The trip included visits to several Jordanian military bases – including one just a few miles from the Syrian border, and the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center – and briefings from various generals and military officials. It also included a tour of the Zaatari Refugee Camp, home of some 80,000 Syrians who have fled from the Assad regime, ISIS and a seemingly never-ending civil war. One of the most special elements of the trip was a two-and-a-half-hour private dinner with the king and several friends at Beit al-Urdon, his personal palace. After getting a first-hand look at the king and his national security team, I came away with three observations. First, Jordan’s king is sitting on a volcano, nearly surrounded by a raging forest fire, bracing for a massive earthquake. To his north, Syria is imploding. To his east, Iraq has been massively destabilized. Some 1.3 million refugees have poured into Jordan from Syria alone, and more are coming every day, putting enormous pressure on Jordan’s struggling economy. ISIS leaders have publicly vowed to invade Jordan, “slaughter” the king, whom they denounce as an “ally of the Crusaders,” and raise their black flags over Amman. So far, some 3,000 Jordanians have joined ISIS, including the son of a Jordanian member of Parliament. “This is a message to the tyrant of Jordan,” the young man declared in a video he released just before going on a suicide bombing mission in Iraq. “Know, O Abdullah, son of Hussein, that you are an apostate.... Even if you manage to escape our punishment, you will not manage to escape Allah’s punishment.” A poll released in 2015 found that 74 percent of Americans fear a major ISIS attack inside the US, and 73% fear a major ISIS attack in Israel. But nearly two-in-three Americans (65%) also fear ISIS “will try to overthrow the King of Jordan – an important, moderate Arab ally of the United States – and use Jordan as a base camp to launch terrorist attacks against America and Israel.” I pray such scenarios never come to pass. But the threat is real and growing. Second, King Abdullah was born for this moment. As a 43rd-generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the 54-year-old monarch has real credibility with his people when it comes to countering the radical and apocalyptic theological narratives espoused by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and other ISIS leaders. His majesty not only strenuously opposes the ISIS claim that Muslims are required to engage in violent jihad – and even genocide – to re-establish the caliphate and bring about the End of Days, he is also one of the Islamic world’s leading reformers, working with clerics and scholars throughout Jordan and the region to define and advance a moderate, tolerant, peaceful vision of Islam. What’s more, as a career soldier trained at the best British military schools, and a natural leader who rose through the ranks to become the commander of Jordan’s Special Operations forces prior to ascending to the throne, the king is uniquely qualified to protect his people from the ISIS threat. He regularly meets with – and occasionally even trains with – his special forces commanders and units, and is directly involved in operations against extremists in Jordan and in the tactical leadership of Jordan’s efforts against ISIS in Syria. At his direction, Jordanian commandos, General Intelligence Directorate operatives and elite police units are taking down an ISIS or related cell inside Jordan every week. As a result of excellent intelligence and security work, Jordan hasn’t had a major terrorist attack inside its borders since 2005, certainly nothing like the recent jihadist attacks in Brussels, Paris, Istanbul, San Bernardino and elsewhere. This is directly attributable to the king’s impressive leadership at home, as well as his close working relationship with Israeli, Egyptian, Saudi and Gulf security and intelligence forces. Third, the king is ready, willing and able to be even more actively engaged in the fight against ISIS, and to continue caring for so many Muslim and Christian refugees, but he needs more US and international assistance to do this effectively. One example: Jordan currently has eight Blackhawk military helicopters, which it recently received from the US in early March, and for which it is very grateful. However, to conduct effective missions against ISIS jihadists in Iraq and Syria, Jordanian forces need at least 12 Blackhawks. Another eight Blackhawks have been promised by the US, but they aren’t expected to be delivered until the end of 2017. Why? Shouldn’t Washington immediately provide its most faithful Sunni Arab ally with as many military helicopters as it needs to wage war on ISIS? At the same time, while the international community has pledged billions in financial aid to help Jordan shoulder the enormous refugee burden, it is not delivering on its promises. In 2014, only 28% of the promised aid was delivered. In 2015, the number was only 35%. In this regard the US is doing far better than others. In 2012, the US gave Jordan $460 million in foreign aid. This year, Congress and the Obama administration will provide $1 billion in aid. But why isn’t President Obama pressing other countries to do more? Neither the Europeans nor wealthy Arab nations want millions of Syrian refugees living in their countries. Nor can they afford to see a moderate country like Jordan destabilized. They need to step up, now. I was already intrigued with Jordan’s warrior king before I met him. That’s why I made him a central character in both of my recent novels about ISIS. But spending personal time with him and his generals, and seeing the extraordinary lengths to which the king is going to defeat the forces of Islamic extremism, deeply impressed me. King Abdullah II is, without question, the West’s most faithful Sunni Arab ally. But as he engages in a hot war against a genocidal enemy he needs far more help from the US and the international community – and he needs it now. Let’s give him what he needs, before it’s too late. The author is a New York Times best-selling author. He has written two novels about the threat of Islamic State, The Third Target (published in January 2015) and The First Hostage (published in December 2016). He can be reached atwww.joelrosenberg.com. ————————– Order The First Hostage today — the new political thriller about ISIS plotting a chemical weapons attack against Israel, Jordan and the United States — is available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats. ——————- Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email. Order THE THIRD TARGET today , the first in this new series — now out in paperback — the New York Times best-selling novel about ISIS capturing chemical weapons in Syria and plotting genocidal attacks. Make an investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net), our non-profit organization to help Christians care for Syrian refugees, educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. Read our latest Donor Report, and make a tax deductible, secure, on-line contribution. Follow on Twitter — @joelcrosenberg joelcrosenberg | April 18, 2016 at 7:23 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/piWZ7-4xr

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog BREAKING NEWS: In 11-hour battle, Jordanian forces destroy ISIS sleeper cell planning major terror attacks to destabilize the kingdom.

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

BREAKING NEWS: In 11-hour battle, Jordanian forces destroy ISIS sleeper cell planning major terror attacks to destabilize the kingdom. Here’s the latest. by joelcrosenberg  March 3, 2016 In the most-sweeping anti-terrorist operation inside Jordan's borders in years, government security forces have uncovered, attacked and destroyed an ISIS cell in the northern city of Irbid. The evidence strongly suggests the cell was planning major terrorists attacks against government and civilian targets to destabilize the kingdom. Jordanian intelligence operatives were reportedly watching the cell for the past two weeks. Officials ordered a preemptive strike on the jihadists late Tuesday night before the cell could carry out its plans. It was another reminder that ISIS leaders plotting to attack Jordan and overthrow King Abdullah II -- as I write about in my two recent novels -- and that as Christians we need to be actively, faithfully, consistently praying for the people and leaders of Jordan, including the King. The Apostle Paul commands us, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4) Let us, therefore, pray for the Lord to grant security and stability of this moderate Arab nation and protect them from the savagery of the Islamic State and other jihadists. Let's pray for the Lord to show His grace and mercy to every citizen of Jordan and the many refugees who have fled there from the Syrian and Iraqi wars, seeking a safe haven in a time of great darkness and a region on fire. Let's also pray for the Christians in Jordan, as they seek to be a blessing to their nation in every possible way, including as a faithful witnesses of the hope and forgiveness and good news found in Christ Jesus. Reports indicate the ISIS fighters put up fierce resistance when cornered. "The terrorists refused to surrender and put up strong resistance using automatic weapons," a spokesman for the General Intelligence Directorate told the BBC, adding "those killed were wearing explosive belts." The BBC also reported that "weapons, ammunition, explosives and detonators were also found at the scene." The battle in Irbid -- which is close to the Syrian border and about 50 miles north of the capital city of Amman -- reportedly lasted eleven hours. The attack on the ISIS sleeper cell took place just days after Jordan's King Abdullah II met in Washington with President Obama, which I wrote about yesterday. During his meetings, the King warned of the steadily rising threat that the Islamic State poses to the Hashemite Kingdom and the fact that ISIS is trying to recruit jihadists from among the 1.3 million-plus Syrian refugees now residing in Jordan. Eight ISIS terrorists were killed. Twenty-two more were immediately arrested. This provided intelligence that led to at least 13 other ISIS terrorists being arrested in short order in different parts of the country. One Jordanian soldier was killed during the intense operation. At least three others were wounded. "Nearly 4,000 Jordanians belong to jihadists groups," mostly the Islamic State, reported Agence France Presse. "More than 400 Jordanians have been killed fighting in jihadist ranks in Syria and Iraq since 2011," added the AFP report. I have a special place in my heart for the people and leaders of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. I've been there at least a half dozen times and have dear friends in Jordan. So much of Bible history took place on East side of the Jordan River. The Scriptures teach us that Moses and the children of Israel lived there and traveled through there. The Hebrew prophet Elijah was born and raised on the East side of the river, and went back to heaven there in a chariot of fire. The prophet Elisha was given the mantle of ministry on the East side of the river. John the Baptist lived and ministered there. The Lord Jesus was likely baptized on the East side. What's more, there are many -- and sobering -- prophecies in the Bible about the future of the country we now call Jordan in the "last days." I hope, therefore, that you'll join me in praying regularly and faithfully for the Jordanians. God loves them dearly. Shouldn't we? ————————– Order The First Hostage today — the new political thriller about ISIS plotting a chemical weapons attack against Israel, Jordan and the United States — is available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats. ——————- Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email. Order THE THIRD TARGET today , the first in this new series — now out in paperback — the New York Times best-selling novel about ISIS capturing chemical weapons in Syria and plotting genocidal attacks. Make an investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net), our non-profit organization to help Christians care for Syrian refugees, educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. Read our latest Donor Report, and make a tax deductible, secure, on-line contribution before the end of the year. Follow on Twitter — @joelcrosenberg joelcrosenberg | March 3, 2016 at 12:10 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-4nJ

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - As Jordan’s King warns of “civil war” inside Islam & says Jordan has reached “the boiling point.”

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

As Jordan’s King warns of “civil war” inside Islam & says Jordan has reached “the boiling point.” President Obama finally makes time to meet with him. Here’s the latest. by joelcrosenberg (Jerusalem, Israel) -- For months now, Jordan's King Abdullah II has been urgently warning Western leaders in blunt and stark language that the tidal wave of Syrian refugees into his country and the barbaric violence of the Islamic State poses a clear and present danger to his kingdom. He needs significantly more military and financial assistance than he is currently getting, and he needs it quickly. ISIS is engaged in “a third world war” against the West and moderate Sunni Arab governments like his own, says the 54 year old monarch. Jordan has reached “the boiling point,” he adds. “Jordanians are suffering….and sooner or later I think the dam is going to burst.” “We need the rest of the world to work with us,” the King insists. “This is why I say it [must be] Muslims, Christians, Jews, other religions, all of us fighting this global fight together. It is a war inside of Islam, it is our civil war, but we cannot do it by ourselves.” The King has taken his message to U.S. and European reporters, news anchors and conferences of world leaders. So far, he hasn't seen much response. And the stakes couldn't be higher. Jordan has welcomed in more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees. Its spending a quarter of its annual budget on people who aren't Jordanian citizens. They are at the breaking point. Yet last year, the international community provided only about 35% of the financial aid they had promised to the Hashemite Kingdom. What's more, thus far the U.S. and international military effort against ISIS has been half-hearted. Today, the influence of ISIS is steadily growing. Its leaders are emboldened. And they are looking to hit new targets, like Jordan. Adding insult to injury, in January -- as readers of this column will recall -- President Obama said he was too busy to meet when the King went to Washington on official business. In the end, the President carved out five minutes for the West's most faithful Sunni Arab ally. That was shameful. Fortunately, the President made more time for Jordan's King last week -- finally. The two leaders met at the White House on Wednesday for an extended discussion of the current state of the fight against the Islamic State, the state of the Syrian civil war, the enormous financial pressures Jordan is facing, and other critical regional issues. The meeting seemed to go well. The President praised the monarch as "one of our most stalwart allies in the world" and rightly noted that "Jordan is a country that punches above its weight when it comes to the fight against ISIL."  The King, in return, graciously thanked the President, Congress and the American people for their generous military and financial aid to his kingdom. "We are so grateful for the support that you've shown me and our people, our country," he said. "Truly, no country other than the United States has given us so much support -- whether it’s to the economy so that we can take the challenge of refugees to our country, but also to the military and security so that we can defend our borders, but also secure our people." "I’m actually leaving Washington very optimistic about the level of support from the United States," the King added. I'm glad the meeting happened. I'm glad the President has increased U.S. aid to Jordan in recent years. But I am not as optimistic as the king about the future. I believe Jordan is in grave danger from ISIS terrorism -- including chemical attacks -- and from the mass of Syrian refugees who I fear could be incited to launch an uprising in the hopes of trying to topple the kingdom. Thus, I believe the U.S. should be doing far more to help our Jordanian friends. We need to pull out all the stops in our campaign to defeat ISIS, starting with liberating Mosul and all of northern Iraq from the ISIS scourge. At the same time we should be pressing our European allies and the rich Sunni Arab states to provide more financial aid to Jordan. And we should be working far more closely to build a strong alliance between Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states not just against ISIS but against the threat of a nuclear Iran, as well. ----------------------- Remarks by President Obama and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan After Bilateral Meeting (official White House transcript) Video of comments by President Obama and King Abdullah (New York Times) King holds summit meeting with Obama (Jordan Times) Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service) Jordan Struggles Under a Wave of Syrian Refugees (New York Times) Jordanian Security and Prosperity: An Essential Aspect of Israeli Policy (The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies) ————————– Order The First Hostage today — the new political thriller about ISIS plotting a chemical weapons attack against Israel, Jordan and the United States — is available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats. ——————- Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email. Order THE THIRD TARGET today , the first in this new series — now out in paperback — the New York Times best-selling novel about ISIS capturing chemical weapons in Syria and plotting genocidal attacks. Make an investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net), our non-profit organization to help Christians care for Syrian refugees, educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. Read our latest Donor Report, and make a tax deductible, secure, on-line contribution before the end of the year. Follow on Twitter — @joelcrosenberg joelcrosenberg | March 2, 2016 at 12:37 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-4lr

Why does Jordan’s Muslim King say our enemy is Radical Islam but President Obama won’t? - Joel Rosenberg

Why does Jordan’s Muslim King say our enemy is Radical Islam but President Obama won’t? Here’s my interview on Fox News. by joelcrosenberg

(Nashville, Tennessee) -- Why is that President Obama refuses to define our enemy as "Radical Islam," yet Muslim leaders like Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's President el-Sisi very honestly and publicly state that this fight is, in fact, a showdown with Radical Muslims and that we all must take action to fight these jihadists theologically as well as militarily?

Consider the headlines of just the past few days:

• Obama refuses to acknowledge ‘Muslim terrorists’ at summit (New York Post)
• Why Obama won't call terror fight a war on radical Islam (CNN)
• Homeland Secretary Johnson suggests term 'violent extremism' used at behest of Muslim leaders (Fox News)
• White House Says Shooting at Kosher Market in Paris Was 'Random' (ABC News)
• State Department spokeswoman claims jobs are key to defeating ISIS (Washington Examiner)

The Commander-in-Chief's repeated refusal to explain who the enemy is constitutes a foolish and dangerous decision. We cannot defeat an enemy we cannot define.

I discussed this issue today on Fox News with anchor Shannon Bream. Here is the video. Here is the transcript.

Bream: After that brutal killing of the captured Jordanian pilot -- carefully scripted, filmed and broadcast to the world -- King Abdullah retaliated and called the battle against ISIS the "third world war." Joel Rosenberg is author of a new book, The Third Target. He says King Abdullah fully understands he that is in a winner-take-all showdown with ISIS. Joel joins us now live. Joel, good to see you today.

Rosenberg: Good to see you, as well. Thank you, Shannon.

Bream: Now, you are very familiar -- having lived and worked in that region quite a bit -- what do you make of the response we saw from the Jordanians, and where do you think we go from here? Do you think those you live and breathe and work in that region have a different understanding than we do here in the U.S.?

Rosenberg: Well, the contrast between President Obama's response to Americans being beheaded and King Abdullah's response is striking. You know, President Obama was with King Abdullah the day the video was released of the Jordanian pilot being burned alive. The King was not on the President's schedule that day he was in Washington. And the President only added him in because of that murder, and they only spent 20 minutes together. But what did the King do? He went right back. He suited up in fatigues. He started bombing ISIS, and he hanged two ISIS people that had been captured. He understands this is a war. And he understands that he is at the center of it. And it's interesting that in that 60 Minutes interview you just referenced -- when he called it a "third world war" -- he said it's a war "inside Islam." President Obama is deeply conflicted over whether this is a battle that has anything to do with Islam. But the King -- who is a descendant of Muhammad -- knows it's a battle inside Islam, and against Radical Islam.

Bream: I don't want to get too deep into the theological weeds, but you've written a number of books about this. And your book on the so-called "Twelfth Imam" is about these End Times prophecies that certain factions of Islam -- not the majority of Muslims out there -- but there are certain factions who adhere to a very radical, specific End Times theology, and that ISIS is sort of in the business of, they want to launch an Armageddon-type, end of the world situation. They think it's what they need in prophecy to bring about their end goals. Do you think that we get that? Do you think that our administration gets that?

Rosenberg: No, and that's because the President is saying from the top and throughout the administration that this isn't an Islamic problem. You're right that the vast majority of Muslims don't, you know  -- this is not them -- they're not cutting off people's heads and they never will. But the Radicals are being driven by their interpretation of Islam. And it's important -- this is what motivates them. This is why it's not a jobs issue. It's not a poverty issue. It's a Radical Islamic theology issue, and an eschatology issue. They do want to set up a caliphate -- an Islamic kingdom -- which is really an End Times theology in their view. They believe it will hasten the End of Days. My new novel, The Third Target, is really about ISIS being a threat to Israel, the United States, and Jordan. What's interesting is that it's been out five weeks now on the best-seller lists, but it really takes us into this threat that is actually not fiction right now. This is very real.

Bream: Yes. I was one eschatology class away from a theology minor in college, but I find that there's so much that I'm learning by reading about what these specific factions believe. And for those who want to get some education on this, your books are a great way of doing that -- some fiction, some non-fiction -- but a great way of getting a better understanding of why some decisions are made, and who the players are and what their interests are in these games that are -- not games, I mean the end game of what they hoped to bring about.

Rosenberg: Right, right.

Bream: I would recommend those [books] as a very entertaining but very educational way to get up-to-speed on some of these issues. Joel, always good to see you. Thank you so much. Come back soon.

Rosenberg: Thank you. I appreciate it.

————————-

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joelcrosenberg | February 22, 2015 at 11:05 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3dT

Netanyahu heads to Amman for emergency talks - Joel Rosenberg

As Radicals try to blow up Israel-Jordan relations & ignite “Third Intifada,” Netanyahu heads to Amman for emergency talks. Here’s the latest. by joelcrosenberg

"His Majesty King Abdullah holds talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Amman on Thursday." (Photo courtesy of Royal Court/AFP/Jordan Times)

(Central Israel) -- Radical Islamists are trying hard to ignite a "Third Intifada," engulf Jerusalem in violence, and blow up relations between Israel and Jordan, twenty years after the two countries courageously signed a peace treaty.

A close look at events here in recent weeks suggest that without much prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, wise leadership,  patient diplomacy, and the grace of God, the Radicals could very well succeed.

But they haven't yet. With violence in and around Jerusalem spiking, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Amman on Thursday evening for emergency talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Secretary of State John Kerry. The goal: to find a way to de-escalate tensions -- quickly and carefully.

The three leaders also held a conference call with Egyptian President al-Sisi.

Initial reports indicate the meetings went well. All four men know the most grave threats to the region are Iran and ISIS and that they need to work together to survive. None want to allow the Radicals divide them at this critical time. But each knows events could spin out of control.

• Please keep praying for peace.
• Pray for these leaders and their families, for wisdom and protection.
• Pray also for the Lord to show Christians how best to serve these leaders and help them work for peace and security for everyone in the epicenter, Jews, Muslims and Christians.

In the meantime, here is a timeline of the latest developments:

October -- Anti-Israeli riots and violence erupt on Temple Mount.

• October 8th -- "With the opening of the Temple Mount to visitors...dozens of masked Palestinians threw rocks and shot fireworks towards the police forces stationed in the Mughrabi Gate area, lightly injuring three officers," reported the Jerusalem Post.
• October 29th -- Terrorists attempted to assassinate a Jewish activist well-known for wanting Israel to build a Third Temple.
• October 30th -- Israeli officials then briefly closed the Temple Mount to all visitors to reestablish order, while Fatah declared a "day of rage" in Jerusalem. "Police commander Edri also decided to restrict Friday Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount to men over the age of 50 and women of all ages," reported Haaretz. "His decision was based on intelligence information that Palestinian youths intend to disturb the peace at the conclusion of the prayers."
• October and November  -- Increased Palestinian terrorist attacks on Israelis, using knives and cars.

November 1st -- "Netanyahu to MKs: Show restraint on Temple Mount issue."

November 4th -- Palestinian President Abbas says closure of Temple Mount "a declaration of war."

November 5th -- Israeli "Border Police officer was killed and at least 13 people were wounded in a terror attack" when an Arab used a car to attack pedestrians in Jerusalem.

November 5th -- The government of Jordan suddenly recalled its Ambassador to Israel.

• "Jordan has expressed growing alarm over Israeli actions in Jerusalem culminating in last week's one-day closure of the sacred compound housing Al Aqsa mosque -- a move that infuriated the Jordanian king, who is its official custodian," reported Reuters. "Tensions over the compound, the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest place in Judaism, have fueled daily clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in Jerusalem in recent weeks. Jordan's government spokesman, Mohammad al-Momani, said Israeli security forces raided the compound's main mosque on Wednesday, describing this as 'a dangerous escalation.'"
• Haaretz reported: "Jordan’s ambassador was not recalled on a whim. The move was coordinated with the United States, in talks held in Paris between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, and follows a long list of what Jordan says are Israeli efforts to Judaize all of Jerusalem and seize control of the holy sites on the Temple Mount. The formal explanation for Jordan’s move is derived from Israel’s obligation to consider Jordan’s preferred status with regard to the holy places, and coordinate any steps taken there with Amman."

November 6th -- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called King Abdullah II to reassure him that the status quo agreement with Jordan regarding the Temple Mount would not change. "Netanyahu undertook to ensure the maintenance of the status quo on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during a phone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan on Thursday," reported Haaretz. "The phone call was initiated by Netanyahu. A statement published by the Prime Minister's Office said that Netanyahu also undertook to preserve the special status of Jordan regarding the Temple Mount and the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem, as specified in the peace agreement between the two countries. "Both leaders called for the immediate cessation of violent actions and incitement,' Netanyahu's bureau said. During the conversation, King Abdullah told Netanyahu that Jordan stands in absolute opposition to any action that infringes on the holiness of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, endangers it, or presents a change in the status quo. The Jordanian news agency Petra reported that Netanyahu promised Abdullah he would move to decrease the tensions in Jerusalem."

November 9th -- King Abdullah II canceled Jordan's participation in a planned event to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty. The King "ordered two of his ministers -- the Minister of Water and the Minister of Energy -- and some 40 other Jordanian officials not to attend the 20th anniversary ceremony which is scheduled to be held in the Jordan Valley between the two countries," reported

November 9th -- Jordan's Prime Minister ruled out the notion of canceling or ending the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel, but condemned Israeli actions that appear to be changing the status quo agreement regarding the Dome of the Rock and the Islamic religious sites there. "The ongoing tension over Jerusalem’s flashpoint al-Aqsa Mosque compound is inflicting a 'stab wound' on the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said on Sunday, though he said Amman would not cancel the 20-year agreement," reported the Times of Israel. "Israel and Jordan are committed to peace and to respect the peace treaty, but this commitment is not just applicable to one side, it is a commitment by both," Ensour told reporters in Amman. "Ensour said Israel’s actions at the site were the result of a 'clear' policy aimed at changing the decades-long status quo at the site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews," noted the Times. "'The Jordanian government condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the events of recent weeks in Jerusalem, which are not the result of administrative errors or acts by a few extremists but rather a clear government plan to change the realities at the holy places,' he continued. Months of unrest in and around the plaza have been triggered by Palestinian fears that Israel was preparing to change the status quo to allow Jews to pray there — a suggestion that has been repeatedly rejected by Israel."

November 12th -- The King met with Palestinian Authority leader Abbas and condemns Israel. "Jordan's King Abdullah II met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, after which the leader of the Hashemite Kingdom issued harsh criticism against the 'utterly condemnable' Israeli 'provocations' at the Temple Mount," reportedthe Times of Israel, based on Jordanian news services. "'The King reiterated that Israel’s repeated aggressions, provocative actions in Jerusalem, and targeting of the holy sites, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al Haram Sharif, were utterly condemnable, adding that the continuation of the settlement policy will undermine all efforts to revive the peace efforts,' a statement published by the official Petra News Agency said."

November 13th -- Netanyahu met in Amman with King Abdullah and Secretary Kerry.

• "His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday hosted a trilateral meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cool tempers arising as a result of Israeli policies in Jerusalem, which Amman has labelled as 'provocative,'" reported Agence France Presse and the Jordan Times. "Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi joined the Amman meeting over the phone. According to a Royal Court statement, the three sides also discussed ways to create a climate encouraging the revival of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.Netanyahu, the statement said, 'reasserted Israel’s commitment to keep the status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites without change… and respect Jordan’s Hashemite leaders’ historical role as custodians of holy sites in Jerusalem.' During the meeting, His Majesty emphasised Jordan’s stand on the situation in Jerusalem, reiterating a call on Tel Aviv to take practical steps to keep the situation there intact, especially at Al Aqsa Mosque and its vicinity. Earlier this month, Jordan recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv to protest Israeli practices in the holy city, particularly the repeated violations of the sanctity of Al Haram Al Sharif compound, which houses Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine to Muslims all over the world."
• "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did not attend a meeting among Kerry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordan’s King Abdullah II,"reported the Times of Israel. "Kerry said it was 'not the right moment' for Abbas and Netanyahu to meet. Kerry said Abbas told him would do 'everything possible to prevent [further] violence.' 'We must create a climate where we can move forward in a positive and constructive way,' Kerry said at a press conference with the Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh following the summit. 'There is an urgent need to address these greatest tensions, and an imperative need to uphold the status quo at the Temple Mount,' he said, adding that the sides must take 'take affirmative steps to prevent violence and incitement.'....Kerry also praised the 'enormously constructive role of Jordan in trying to resolve these challenges.' He said Israel and Jordan, which has custodial rights at the Temple Mount, had also agreed to take steps to 'de-escalate the situation' in Jerusalem and to 'restore confidence.'"

November 14th -- Israel's Ambassador to Jordan praised the King as a moderate leader in the region. "Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Daniel Nevo lauded the Hashemite monarch King Abdullah II on Friday morning as a vital moderator in the region at a time when Israeli-Palestinian tensions were flaring," reported the Jerusalem Post. "Israel recognizes the importance of King Abdullah as the custodian of Islam's holy sites in Jerusalem," Nevo told Army Radio. "We have never renounced this [position] - on the contrary, we try to clarify it and collaborate as much a possible....[Abdullah] is very significant in Jordan and to the world, because the king is very harshly criticized when there is tumult."

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joelcrosenberg | November 14, 2014 at 11:20 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-39C