Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 05, 2008 Tevet 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:42 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Advertising
Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine
Tzipi Livni meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Tel Aviv on Thursday. (AP)
Last update - 09:28 21/04/2007
PM Olmert invites Jordan's King Abdullah II to visit Israel
By Shahar Ilan and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has invited Jordan's King Abdullah II to visit Israel as Arab governments and Israel edge toward new discussion of an Arab peace proposal, officials said on Friday.

No date has been set for the visit by the monarch, Israeli and Jordanian officials said.

"His Majesty is ready to engage in any effort that helps to bring about the success of the Arab initiative and the setting up of a Palestinian state," a source in the Jordanian royal palace in Amman told Reuters.
Advertisement
The Prime Minister's Office said it had not yet received an official response from Jordan and gave no details on the plans for the visit.

King Abdullah II Thursday told a delegation of Knesset members that "we are in the same boat, we have the same problem. We have the same enemies." The king reiterated the comments a number of times, which those at the meeting said referred to Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Abdullah also emphasized that he spoke not only for Jordan but for a group of states in the region. The king asked at one point: "Do you want Iran on the banks of the Jordan?"

Former Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin said in response: "I have seen Jordanian openness that does not hesitate to scold extremist Muslims." MK Shlomo Breznitz said that the comments raise the first hope that moderates plan to set the tone in the Arab world. "The style and daring are new," he said.

The king made the comments at his palace in Amman in a meeting with Acting Israeli President Dalia Itzik and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi, as well as six additional lawmakers. The Israeli delegation attacked a mention of an Arab right of return, saying there is no Israeli who will agree to that and it would be like asking Israel to commit suicide.

The king responded again and again that everything would be consensual. He claimed the Arab peace plan is not a plan but talking points. After Rivlin said the Arab League secretary commented "Take it or leave it," Abdullah said "Leave him to me." He did say that instead of talking about he right of return, it might be necessary to talk about the right to compensation, and that it was not only an Israeli problem, but also a problem of the wealthy Arab countries.

Abdullah said Thursday that Israel must accept the Saudi peace initiative.

The king called on Israel to "adopt the Arab initiative as the basis for negotiations with the Palestinians and not to miss this historic opportunity for recognition by all the countries of the region and true integration into the region." He added: "I worry about the generations to come. This is an unparalleled opportunity and I have taken it upon myself to influence the people of Israel."

The palace announcement emphasized that the Knesset delegation was invited as part of the king's diplomatic efforts to jumpstart the peace process. The Arab League has decided to appoint Jordan and Egypt to take the lead in approaching the Jewish state to promote the Arab peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli delegation was impressed with Abdullah's frankness but said he demands too high a price.









Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
A second visit?
Peres invites Bush to visit Israel in May for Independence Day.
After Iowa
Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani's campaigns?
  1.   Dont get the article contradictory????? 08:32  |  wally 19/04/07
  2.   I agree with #1. A strange contradiction. 09:55  |  Vittorio 19/04/07
  3.   it is a proxy order 12:04  |  VIPER 19/04/07
  4.   only obstacle 12:41  |  Armando Vargas 19/04/07
  5.   Talk to all 12:46  |  Armando Vargas 19/04/07
  6.   #1, #2 have reading comprehension problems 12:46  |  Martin 19/04/07
  7.   no Iran War 12:56  |  Armando Vargas 19/04/07
  8.   Victim 13:03  |  Armando Vargas 19/04/07
  9.   # 3 there is already a war 13:15  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  10.   # 5 Would be nice 13:19  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  11.   # 7 Iran and war 13:21  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  12.   # 8 VT student 13:22  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  13.   what does the return of refugees mean? 15:20  |  roberta 19/04/07
  14.   #5 I Agree 15:42  |  Benjamin 19/04/07
  15.   #9, LYNN, wrong once again 15:47  |  VIPER 19/04/07
  16.   #13, roberta 15:49  |  VIPER 19/04/07
  17.   Fundamental condition for Arab-Israeli peace 16:02  |  MG 19/04/07
  18.   # 15 I want peace as much as anyone 16:13  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  19.   # 13 right of return 16:16  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  20.   # 17 How right you are 16:18  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  21.   Flexibility 16:25  |  Shiny_Orb 19/04/07
  22.   Fundamental condition for Arab-Israeli peace 16:36  |  Omran 19/04/07
  23.   I still can`t figure it out... 16:40  |  Richard S 19/04/07
  24.   # 22 Omran 17:08  |  Lynn 19/04/07
  25.   Fundamental condition for Arab-Israeli peace (#22 Omran) 17:19  |  MG 19/04/07
  26.   to uragay-s americans - stop coming to USA 17:45  |  ross 19/04/07
  27.   Israel as part of the region 17:47  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  28.   #22 Omran - why are you so fixated 17:59  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  29.   Oh VIPER DEAR. Your wisdom increases from message to message. You 18:03  |  People of the World 19/04/07
  30.   Saudi plan - basis for talks 18:06  |  Ricardo kolbe 19/04/07
  31.   Olmert 18:06  |  alex 19/04/07
  32.   Israel MUST accept...: nice way of discussing. 18:09  |  Guido 19/04/07
  33.   #5 Armando Vargas - Uruguay 18:13  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  34.   #7 Armando Vargas 18:16  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  35.   # 1 Viper - be a realist 18:18  |  Bill 19/04/07
  36.   To Shiny Orb and Omran 18:28  |  Alex 19/04/07
  37.   TAKE ADVANTAGE 18:30  |  JAMAL 19/04/07
  38.   #35 Bill - There was a two state solution 18:37  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  39.   No war means no PEACE 18:41  |  emad matahin 19/04/07
  40.   #37 Jamal - Take advantage or being taken 18:43  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  41.   Abdullah`s being ADAMANT 18:55  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  42.   BEN JABO Uruguay women are not poor anymore now 18:56  |  Tamir Gaza 19/04/07
  43.   Roberta - Right of Return 19:00  |  Ernie 19/04/07
  44.   All for naught if. . . . 19:01  |  MichaelF 19/04/07
  45.   #11 - Lynn 19:06  |  MichaelF 19/04/07
  46.   Saudi Arabia Peace Proposals 19:09  |  Ronald W. Ginson 19/04/07
  47.   #19 -- Lynn 19:11  |  MichaelF 19/04/07
  48.   #42 - Tamir Gaza 19:14  |  MichaelF 19/04/07
  49.   Now I understand it`s the way the Saudi`s say please 19:18  |  Shepherd 19/04/07
  50.   MichaelF read my post again 19:25  |  Tamir Gaza 19/04/07
  51.   #38 BEN JABO 19:27  |  Moury 19/04/07
  52.   Jamal respond 19:31  |  jamal 19/04/07
  53.   * BEN JABO - 3 States? 19:45  |  Ernie 19/04/07
  54.   Lynn # 18 19:49  |  Gina 19/04/07
  55.   #42 Tamir - Gaza, London - Make up your mind. 19:51  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  56.   #42 MichaelF 19:52  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  57.   #50 Tamir - Gaza, London & who knows where 19:56  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  58.   BEN JABO I don`t take your seriously either 20:03  |  Tamir Gaza 19/04/07
  59.   #51 Moury 20:03  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  60.   Arab inititive 20:09  |  James 19/04/07
  61.   agree with # 49 20:15  |  Dik 19/04/07
  62.   Right of return? 20:17  |  Z 19/04/07
  63.   It is Israel`s interest to strive for peace with the Arabs 20:37  |  George 19/04/07
  64.   there is a swat of jordanian territory that is currently 20:45  |  George 19/04/07
  65.   NO to Saudi crap 21:01  |  Brod 19/04/07
  66.   #59 BEN JABO 21:01  |  Moury 19/04/07
  67.   To #64 21:07  |  Randy 19/04/07
  68.   #27 Ben Jabo 21:35  |  Randy 19/04/07
  69.   #51 Moury 21:46  |  Randy 19/04/07
  70.   Ben Jabo 21:53  |  Randy 19/04/07
  71.   using a "COMPROMISE" as a "BASIS?" for "DIALOUG" 22:26  |  Joker 19/04/07
  72.   Israel don`t be a scape goat... 22:48  |  dzone 19/04/07
  73.   RE:Qualify of Peace 23:00  |  TBART 19/04/07
  74.   Abdullah: `..truly become part of the region..` 23:19  |  Chick Corea 19/04/07
  75.   # 69 Randy 23:25  |  Moury 19/04/07
  76.   Saudi Plan BAD and Fatah ALSO Terrorists 23:28  |  Loudly Proclaim 19/04/07
  77.   #66 Moury - don`t you understand 23:51  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  78.   #70 Randy - I really don`t give a hoot 23:42  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  79.   #58 Tamir - I wonder did you 23:59  |  * BEN JABO 19/04/07
  80.   # 48 Michael 00:07  |  Lynn 20/04/07
  81.   # 64 George 00:09  |  Lynn 20/04/07
  82.   jewish refugees from arab states 00:29  |  nadav 20/04/07
  83.   #17. well said! 00:35  |  nadav 20/04/07
  84.   the Saudis need to prove they are sincere about peace with Israel 01:29  |  Briton 20/04/07
  85.   # 13 VIPER 01:31  |  ChanahS 20/04/07
  86.   BEN JABO thinks he can win the argument, thats all he care about 01:52  |  Tamir Gaza 20/04/07
  87.   Abdullah- 3rd Attempt Haaretz 01:55  |  Chick Corea 20/04/07
  88.   Abdullah, Olmert has stated he`s ready for talks 02:13  |  Jon 20/04/07
  89.   Hey Armando 03:25  |  in the clouds 20/04/07
  90.   Jordan enabled 2nd Intefade 03:38  |  Jeff 20/04/07
  91.   Jordan is enemie of palistineans 03:41  |  Jeff 20/04/07
  92.   Jordanian king trying to make a sale 03:53  |  Sam 20/04/07
  93.   No Return for 1 million Jews from Arab lands 05:20  |  Semsem 20/04/07
  94.   Iran on the banks of the Jordan 05:43  |  Arab 20/04/07
  95.   Trust but verify? 05:49  |  Sam 20/04/07
  96.   Hamas and Hezbollah need to accept Saudi plan!! 06:13  |  Ken 20/04/07
  97.   #77 BEN JABO- In fact, I do understand... 07:13  |  Moury 20/04/07
  98.   SInce when does Israel and Jordan agree to anialation of Israel, 07:33  |  Adam 20/04/07
  99.   "Consensual"?? 07:59  |  Webster 20/04/07
  100.   He doesn`t speak in his people`s name and teh five million refug 08:01  |  Ture Jordanian 20/04/07
  101.   Same enemies...?? 08:06  |  Blogowitz 20/04/07
  102.   Abdullah said Israel must accept the Saudi peace initiative 08:16  |  Joseph 20/04/07
  103.   #35, BILL 08:46  |  VIPER 20/04/07
  104.   #85, CHANAHS 08:54  |  VIPER 20/04/07
  105.   Abdullah is no stone jug 09:13  |  Clickfool 20/04/07
  106.   To King Abdullah Of Jordan 09:17  |  Yosemite 20/04/07
  107.   Saudis Need Post US Evacuation Plan 09:18  |  GenerX 20/04/07
  108.   King Abdulla is America`s high commissioner in Jordan 10:15  |  True Jordanian 20/04/07
  109.   The King doesn`t speak on the Paelstinians behalf 10:17  |  Mahmoud Abbas 20/04/07
  110.   #15 Viper 10:46  |  Itsik 20/04/07
  111.   #105 Clickfool 10:51  |  Itsik 20/04/07
  112.   Forthcoming has been long waited 10:51  |  Cheryl 20/04/07
  113.   "The refugee rights are the soul and heart of the problem" 11:16  |  Sam 20/04/07
  114.   NOTHING can happen until Olmert and co. step down .. 11:19  |  redmike 20/04/07
  115.   NO WAY to the Saudi/American plan! 11:21  |  Avraham 20/04/07
  116.   #108, I agree 11:24  |  MohammedAli 20/04/07
  117.   #108, I agree 11:24  |  MohammedAli 20/04/07
  118.   Just say NO 12:07  |  i believe in Hashem 20/04/07
  119.   To our Clickfool 12:47  |  The Swede 20/04/07
  120.   "We share the same enemies, so surrender." How weird 12:55  |  David Teich 20/04/07
  121.   True Jordanian - 100 13:41  |  Nik Miller 20/04/07
  122.   it is a historic opportunity for preace zion DOES NOT DESERVE 15:33  |  arab 20/04/07
  123.   121..no body is saying what you are saying... 16:20  |  True Jordanian 20/04/07
  124.   Don`t forget compensation 16:24  |  Nechama 20/04/07
  125.   King`s visit to Israel won`t help peace..Olmert is just 16:25  |  True Jordanian 20/04/07
  126.   Attitude of Arabs prove its Hudna not peace 16:52  |  Chick Corea 20/04/07
  127.   #86 Tamir - An argument? 16:54  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  128.   #122 True Jordanian 17:39  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  129.   too high a price? 17:42  |  Shelley 20/04/07
  130.   Invitation? Olmert Could Do Better Than That! Convert To Islam! 17:47  |  Yosemite 20/04/07
  131.   "A country that wants peace doesn`t behave like Israel" 17:53  |  Sam 20/04/07
  132.   Problems with the `Right of Return` concept 18:06  |  Double Click 20/04/07
  133.   It`s funny 18:15  |  Sam of Jordan 20/04/07
  134.   I`ll take a hudna or peace 18:32  |  Sam 20/04/07
  135.   to #67 Randy, i guess you you didn`t hear, GOD left the 18:32  |  George 20/04/07
  136.   BEN JABO you either too old or too young 18:32  |  Tamir Gaza 20/04/07
  137.   #133 Sam of Jordan 18:33  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  138.   Olmert inviting a country who already made peace with 18:42  |  Tamir Gaza 20/04/07
  139.   True Jordanian speaks like Khalid 18:53  |  Gina 20/04/07
  140.   How the invitation should be addressed 19:28  |  Chick Corea 20/04/07
  141.   #38. Ben Jabo 19:35  |  Deborah 20/04/07
  142.   Ben jabo 20:26  |  Sam of Jordan 20/04/07
  143.   #141 Deborah 20:58  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  144.   #136 Tamir - none of your business 20:59  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  145.   #142 Sam of Jordan 21:02  |  * BEN JABO 20/04/07
  146.   The Core Problem 22:30  |  Mary 20/04/07
  147.   #144.*BEN JABO 22:44  |  Nemesis 20/04/07
  148.   Sam...majority or minority...is not important 22:53  |  French 20/04/07
  149.   MAYBE THEY SHOULD TELL HIM TO TAKE HIS REFUGEES BACK WITH HIM 00:23  |  karen 21/04/07
  150.   French 00:25  |  Sam 21/04/07
  151.   #147 Nemesis 02:12  |  * BEN JABO 21/04/07
  152.   #148 French - "CRUX", you`ve hit on a sore point. 02:21  |  * BEN JABO 21/04/07
  153.   Arab peace plan ? 02:40  |  Paulo2005 21/04/07
  154.   Nemesis and Ben Jabo 03:04  |  Sam of Jordan 21/04/07
  155.   Ben Jabo, Jordan didn`t attack "Israel" in 1948 03:25  |  Ha`Hakhami 21/04/07
  156.   #154..sam of jordan 03:28  |  nemesis 21/04/07
  157.   #155 Ha`Hakhami 05:54  |  * BEN JABO 21/04/07
  158.   #154 Sam of Jordan 05:56  |  * BEN JABO 21/04/07
  159.   #156 Nemesis - he can`t spit it out 05:57  |  * BEN JABO 21/04/07
  160.   "The Boys" 14:25  |  Sam of Jordan 21/04/07
  161.   #160 Sam 16:45  |  Nemesis 21/04/07
  162.   True Jordanian 18:17  |  Ernie 21/04/07
  163.   Joseph - The Saudi Plan 18:23  |  Ernie 21/04/07
  164.   Abduallah represents only himself...and his wife 01:55  |  Pure Jordanian 22/04/07
  165.   163: How about, Ernie, that it`s neither 10:20  |  David teich 22/04/07
  166.   #160 Sam of Jordan - Normal People???? 18:26  |  * BEN JABO 22/04/07
  167.   #164 Pure Jordanian 18:30  |  * BEN JABO 22/04/07
  168.   167: Ben, don`t exaggerate 10:03  |  David Teich 25/04/07
  169.   true jordanian 02:25  |  danny 04/01/08
  170.   pure jordanian 02:29  |  danny 04/01/08
  171.   #123 true jordanian 06:36  |  danny 05/01/08
 Today Online
Amos Harel: Israel is not the only one exercising restraint
Responses: 161
Ramon: Crackdown on outposts likely to start after Bush visit
Responses: 126
Wiesenthal Center calls on UN to focus on suicide bombings
Responses: 210
Editorial: The IDF is an army that has ceased to function as an army
Responses: 151
Qassam causes damage to home in Sderot; IDF kills 2 Hamas men
Responses: 116
Rosner's Domain
Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani?
New poll: Obama, Huckabee, who's better for Israel?
The Judaism of Alicia Silverstone (WTR)
Rosner's Guest: How to raise Jewish children
The green line is turning red


More Headlines
01:51 Meshal: No compromise on terms for Shalit deal
01:18 Qassam causes damage to home in Sderot; IDF kills 2 Hamas men
05:17 Palestinian PM lambasts Israel over West Bank arrest raids
22:20 After Iowa: Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani?
02:52 Replica of Anne Frank annex opens inside Liverpool church
21:20 U.S. President George Bush is likely to visit Israel again in May
19:34 Sinai lawmaker calls for calm after Bedouin man shot outside his home near the Israeli border
09:07 Wiesenthal Center calls on UN to formally address suicide attacks
19:05 Poll: Fatah losing support among West Bank, Gaza Palestinians
19:29 Bush, Jordan's king confer by phone over Mideast peace process
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Inbal Jerusalem Hotel
Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem
Long-term Israel programs
MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants.
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Dead Sea Salt
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
AMERICANS ONE MONTH LEFT
US citizen in Israel beat online Democrats-Abroad Presidential Primary deadline.
Home| TV| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved