Jordan’s King Abdullah, US President Joe Biden to Meet in Washington
Jordan’s King Abdullah will meet on Monday with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The meeting, Biden’s first with an Arab head of state, comes a day after Jordan accused Israel of violating the status quo by allowing Jews on the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound. Some 1,600 Jewish pilgrims visited the Temple Mount on Sunday to mark the Fast of the 9th of Av, commemorating the destruction of two temples that stood on the site. Amman, and Abdullah’s Hashemite family, is the custodian of the Temple Mount and other Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Bennett on Sunday in a statement thanked the Israel Police for “maintaining freedom of worship for Jews” on the Temple Mount, causing an uproar in Amman and other Arab capitals since Jewish worship is prohibited at the site. Bennett later backpedaled on the comments.
According to a statement released by the White House ahead of Monday’s visit, Biden and Abdullah will “discuss the many challenges facing the Middle East and showcase Jordan’s leadership role in promoting peace and stability in the region.” The statement also said that Biden “looks forward to working with His Majesty to strengthen bilateral cooperation on multiple political, security, and economic issues, including the promotion of economic opportunities that will be vital for a bright future in Jordan.”
