Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, strongly criticizes Israel's military action against Hamas in Gaza, labeling it as "blatant aggression" that endangers the wider Middle East. Safadi accuses Israel of committing "war crimes" by imposing a blockade on Gaza and preventing the shipment of essential supplies. This critique highlights the strained relations between Jordan and Israel, who had previously signed a peace agreement. Safadi calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting. Israel has not yet responded to these remarks.
Meanwhile, at the summit, the White House's National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, suggests that a significant pause in the fighting can be achieved through the release of hostages held by Hamas and an increase in humanitarian aid. The war between Israel and Hamas, which commences when Hamas launches an attack on Israel, results in significant casualties, primarily among civilians. The conflict overshadows the discussions at the annual Manama Dialogue summit, which typically focuses on the concerns of Gulf Arab nations regarding Iran.
The Crown Prince of Bahrain calls for a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel in his opening remarks. Safadi warns that the Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, aims to remove Palestinians from Gaza, which he believes poses a direct threat to Jordan and Egypt's national security.In a recent statement, Safadi, a prominent figure, declared that Arab countries will not bear the responsibility of addressing the devastation caused by Israel in the aftermath of the war. This declaration was made in order to clarify the stance of Jordan and other Arab nations, who have firmly decided against sending troops to Gaza. Their intention is to avoid being portrayed as enemies in this tense situation. Safadi further highlighted the prevailing uncertainty regarding the future of Gaza after the aggression. In spite of the fruitless peace process over the years, he stressed the significance of initiating a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
Amidst these developments, McGurk, a key figure, outlined a set of five principles - known as the "five no's" - that he firmly believed should have been adhered to during the war. These principles include: no forced displacement, no reoccupation, no reduction in territory, no threats to Israel, and no besiegement. Consequently, Israel's attempts to establish new diplomatic relations with Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, appeared to be halted. Safadi strongly criticized the notion that circumventing the Palestinian issue would pave the path to regional peace, asserting that it would instead result in disaster. In contrast, McGurk underscored the importance of involving Palestinians in any potential diplomatic agreement reached between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
