ammonnews.net

Ammon News -

By Banan Malkawi

AMMONNEWS - An uproar of criticism against Mudar Zahran's op-ed entitled "Jordan, Dr. Peace and Mr. Apartheid" published in the Israeli "Jerusalem Post" newspaper on Sunday led the writer to contact 'Ammon News' editor-in-chief to relay his "apologies" to the Jordanian people over claims he made in the op-ed describing Jordan as an "apartheid state" in its treatment of Jordanians of Palestinian heritage.

In a letter sent to 'Ammon News,' Zahran relayed his apologies to the Jordanian people and stressed that he will not repeat this 'mistake.'

"I would like to inform you of the following decision: I have decided to announce today, and after my latest article in The Jerusalem Post, that I will not publish any articles or reports in any language related to Jordanian domestic or foreign affairs," he wrote in his letter.

"This decision comes because of I have sensed clearly that my articles are being misunderstood and exploited by some against my precious country whether by ill intention or misunderstanding," he said.

He expressed that the reaction to his articles have made him feel the "harm that befalls the interest of the country and its people" when some misunderstand and misinterpret his articles.

He stressed that his writings have cost him a lot on a family level, as he notes that he has been put under intense pressure from his father, Adnan Zahran, who threatened to cut relations with Zahran if the latter wrote anything else, and considered that Zahran's continuation of writing would be considered "ingratitude" on a personal level against his father, and an "ungratefulness" towards the country.

Along with his letter to ‘Ammon News,’ Zahran attached a letter he received from his father in which Zahran Senior chastises his son for his writings, which the father considers "far from truth and reality."

"Myself and your family distance ourselves from what you wrote and what you write.. We find that you have went far from the truth and reality, furthermore, you have revealed that you do know the extent of the historical and everlasting relationship between members of the one [Jordanian] people in all its origins, especially the children of the East Bank and the West Bank," Adnan Zahran wrote to his son. (Article continues below)

______________________________________________

For the full text of Zahran's letter in Arabic click here

For related article on Mudar Zahran's Jerusalem Post article, click here

______________________________________________

In 13 points, Zahran Sr. highlights to his son domestic and regional dynamics that constitute the core of the relations and threats his son attempted to analyze in his "Jerusalem Post" article.

Zahran Sr. explained the extent to which eminent threats are confronting Jordan from neighboring countries, both Arab and Israeli, stressing that Jordan must defend itself by all means necessary against such threats.

He asks his son to "look at the desolate conditions which Palestinians in Lebanon and Syria experience, they are deprived of all means of livelihood whereas here we are enjoying a dignified and free living."

"We here are undoubtedly enjoying all our rights before the law, not out of favor towards us, but because Jordan is a country of institutions built by late King Hussein, and King Abdullah is following his steps.. How many high level officials were tried in court and got what they deserved without consideration of their tribal affiliation or wealth, because "Jordan is First."

Zahran Sr. notes that despite the Wadi Araba peace treaty with Israel, Israel and its leaders still insist that Jordan is Palestine and are calling for forced transfer of Palestinians to Jordan.

Furthermore, Zahran Sr. notes, despite all the international conventions and agreements, Israel still refuses to agree on Jordan's right to build a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes.

"So do we consider that Israel is in a state of peace with Jordan?" the father questions.

For the full text of Zahran's letter in Arabic click here

For related article on Mudar Zahran's Jerusalem Post article, click here