It was four in the afternoon in Jordan, an hour less in Spain, when the armed forces plane carrying Felipe VI from Madrid to Amman landed at Queen Alia International Airport. On his first trip to Jordan since he was proclaimed king ten years ago, Don Felipe was received with honors by Prince Feisal Bin al Hussein, brother of King Abdullah II; the Spanish ambassador to Jordan, Miguel de Lucas; the Jordanian ambassador in Madrid, Raghad al Saqqa; and Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh.
The escalation of violence in the Middle East and growing tensions between countries have led to this trip being reduced, in days and in content. What was initially planned to be a three-day state trip for the kings to Jordan became an official visit.
When Israel invaded Lebanon earlier this week and Iran launched a battery of 200 missiles on Israel in response to this attack by the Netanyahu government, the King’s House rethought the format and content of the trip. When they were sure that this posed no security risk, they continued the visit, which was reduced in days, events and institutional presence: Queen Letizia remained in Madrid and Felipe VI will stay in Amman for a total of 22 hours, to show interest in the Spaniards who reside in this country and show their support for King Abdullah and the Jordanian people.
As soon as he was received with honors, Don Felipe went to the residence of the Spanish ambassador in Amman, where he had a meeting with a representation of the community of Spaniards living in Jordan. To all, the King conveyed words of support, encouragement and affection. “At this moment, we are united by a deep desire for peace, dialogue and reconciliation. The conflict – which took an unprecedented and particularly tragic turn a year ago with the brutal and unjustifiable terrorist attack in Israel, which brought us images of indescribable suffering and devastation in Gaza and which is further aggravated by its expansion in Lebanon, and with the risks of escalation are even greater – must stop as soon as possible.
The king addressed some 300 representatives of the Spanish colony located in Jordan, during a meeting which lasted a little over two hours. Everyone wanted to talk to him and take photos. He accompanied him to this meeting Prince Ghasi, cousin of Abdullah IIwhich demonstrates the good harmony that exists between Spain and Jordan. In a context like the current one, the two countries agree on their positions when they affirm that the only solution for a prosperous and lasting peace in the Middle East involves the two-state solution. In this sense, he praised the “historic and crucial role” of Abdullah II and his father, King Hussein, so that “Israel and Palestine coexist in peace”.
“We aspire to see the end of the human drama and also of the silence of arms, to return to the path of politics and diplomacy and, when this happens, to resume, with more intensity if possible, efforts to the solution to the problem. two States, which lays the foundations of a solid and lasting peace for the Palestinian people and the Israeli people”, declared the King, while adding to our “dear compatriots” his “enthusiasm at being able to be close” to them: “For know your story first handconcerns and hopes. I wish you the greatest success in life and work and I ask you, at this time, to help us bear witness to the fervent desire for peace and stability in the region that we Spaniards and Jordanians share.
