Jordan envoy to Israel presents credentials amidst kin protest

AFP , Wednesday 17 Oct 2012

New Jordanian ambassador to Israel presents credentials to President Shimon Peres, defying his tribes objection

Jordan's new ambassador to Israel presented his credentials to President Shimon Peres on Wednesday, filling a position that had been vacant since mid-2010.

"Walid Obeidat presented his credentials to Israeli President Shimon Peres as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary," state-run news agency Petra reported.

Jordan named career diplomat Walid Obeidat as ambassador to Israel last month. The decision angered Obeidat's tribe, one of the largest in Jordan, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Islamists said the appointment was "not in the interest of the kingdom," while the tribe insisted that "accepting such a post is a great insult to his own people and nation as well as to Palestinian martyrs."

The United States had called on Jordan to appoint a new ambassador, but Amman had been reluctant because of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians.

Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab countries to have signed peace treaties with Israel.

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