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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

Egypt and Jordan- their roles in the conflict

38 replies

mids2019 · 19/05/2024 07:20

Were Egypt and Jordan ever considers occupying powers of 'Palestine' before the six day war in the 60s?..Would a solution to this war be for the West bank and Gaza to become protectorate of these nations? There seems to be relatively free modern between the West Bank and Jordan so could you have a similar situation with Egypt where Palestinian refugees made their way there and in return Egypt gained some degree of sovreignty over Gaza?

OP posts:
EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 08:40

I don't think that's what's being talked about here, @Scirocco , more that it's a very complicated situation, other nations have also had a history with this area and it's not as simple to resolve as some would believe.

Scirocco · 19/05/2024 08:36

So you wouldn't be in favour of a two-state solution?

I'm not convinced that continuing to deny a people their own state in what little viable land remains to them is really going to be a solution. Changing one occupying force for another isn't a great deal of progress.

Personally, I think the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state is an essential step if people want sustainable peace in the region. Issues such as interim leadership and transition to Palestinian independence, and de-militarisation would of course need to be discussed, and there would probably need to be an independent peace-keeping body protecting borders.

EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 08:27

This is what is frustrating - it is such a complicated situation, but is reduced to a simple slogan. Or chant.
I actually have a friend who told me that Gaza was invaded and occupied by Israel from 1948! This person is Head of History at a large comprehensive! It does worry me how poorly informed many people are. People can reach their own conclusions, but that should be based on fact.

Original poster
mids2019 · 19/05/2024 08:20

I think both Jordan and Egypt are in tricky positions on this as don't they benefit from reasonable diplomatic relations with the West (not perfect of course but compared to Iran.....)

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Original poster
mids2019 · 19/05/2024 08:17

It makes the continued 'occuoation' of Palestinian territory a tad more complicated. I think you get a better discussion with those on IMN than those encamped in our universities right now.

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onegrumpyoldwoman · 19/05/2024 08:06

The Palestinians. in what is now known as the "West Bank". had an opportunity to set up a Palestine state in 1948.

Instead they chose to throw their lot in with the Jordanians.

The Jordanians pulled out of the area in 1988. relinquished control and cancelled the Jordanian citizenship of all the Palestinian Arabs living there.
They aren't in any rush to go back there. especially after their king was assassinated by a Palestinian gunman.https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/70-years-ago-jordans-king-assassinated-by-palestinian-on-temple-mount-674480https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/11/10/palestine-jordan-will-not-reannex-the-west-bank/

Why Jordan Will Not Reannex the West Bank

An FP essay provoked a strong response because it brought international attention to a controversial issue that has historically only been debated internally.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/11/10/palestine-jordan-will-not-reannex-the-west-bank

EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 08:03

Yes, you're right about the changes brought by the 67 war. @Taciturn is also correct about Black September.

Original poster
mids2019 · 19/05/2024 08:02

It is interesting. In terms of future governance of Gaza Egypt have been mooted as one of the co partners that could provide civilian rule for some period. However historically was their reluctance for Egypt to grant Palestine statehood? There seems to be have been little some by Egypt during its rule to establish a state. The 1967 war seems to have been Egypt losing a protectorate it didn't want to annex to Israel unless I misreading history.

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Taciturn · 19/05/2024 07:51

There is no way that Egypt and Jordan would want to get involved. Look up "Black September."

EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 07:47

Yes, I think that reducing the whole situation to simplistic slogans is ignorant and damaging. I don't doubt people will come on here and talk of the current conflict and the Israelis, (I'm not ignoring that) but I don't think there can be a peaceful solution without recognition of the complexities.

Original poster
mids2019 · 19/05/2024 07:40

@EmpressOfTheThread

it was interesting to read that Egyptian military rule was oppressive and it effectively governed Gaza as a separate enclave marred with poverty. Israeli occupation seems to have actually been slightly better and of course the 'occjpation' was a result of the six day war.

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EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 07:30

You're right though, OP - to add that it does seem like other solutions could have been worked out over the years.

EmpressOfTheThread · 19/05/2024 07:29

Gaza was under Egyptian military rule from 1949-56 and again from 57-67.
They have a border of course, but have always been reluctant to open it to Palestinians. They really don't want that problem.
It's a very long and complicated history of course.