Jordan's Parliament voted on Wednesday to expel the Israeli ambassador in Amman in protest of against Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s appearance at a podium adorned with an Israeli flag that included all of Jordan and the Palestinian territories.
House Speaker Ahmed Safadi called on the government to take effective measures against the minister's statements and behavior.
MPs said Smotrich’s behavior reflects “an Israeli arrogance and disrespect of international treaties and conventions.”
The vote is non-binding to the government but reflects public outrage of the Israeli far-right's provocations against the Palestinians and Jordan.
Smotrich’s appearance and ensuing remarks in which he claimed there’s “no such thing” as a Palestinian people sparked furor in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday the minister's offensive and racist remarks.
The Foreign Ministry underscored the Kingdom's rejection of such baseless statements that only stoke hatred and violence and undermine international efforts for peace and dialogue.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi decried on Tuesday the minister's comments as "racist".
Amman late on Monday summoned the Israeli ambassador in Jordan and said Smotrich's move was a provocative act by an "extremist" and "racist" minister that violated international norms and Jordan's peace treaty with Israel.
