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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS -Public reaction to the expulsion of Syria's ambassador was mixed. It ranged from few cheers to, mostly, condemnation. The Union for Arab Students (UAS) issued a statement condemning Judeh's decision to expel ambassador Bahjat Suleiman. It is indefensible that Israel's ambassador remains in Amman despite the fact the Jordanian parliament has passed a resolution to expel him, a student member commented.

Columnist Ali Hattar wrote: Syria's ambassador must leave in 24 hours, while Israel's ambassador "might be asked " to leave in 24 years." Another wrote: "from the start Judeh mishandled the Syria situation." Calls for the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Judeh, has multiplied as the news spread through various social media outlets


The Jordanian Writers' Association /Committee for the Support of Syria described the decision as "Shameful." It is against Jordan's national interest. The Jordanian government balancing act toward Syria is seen as off-balance, and in favor of the armed rebels. According to Salafi groups, thousands of Jihadi fighters ended up in Syria through Jordan.

The outspoken Syrian Ambassador, Bahjat Suleiman, has irked a number of pro-rebel characters in Jordan. Few Jordanian officials and parliamentarians often lobbed "insults" directed at him or the President of Syria.

In addition, the timing of the expulsion was seen, by many, as another attempt to derail the upcoming presidential elections. Syrians living in Jordan, interviewed by Ammon, talked of their excitement to participate and vote at the embassy. Voting day was scheduled on Wed. May 28th. Judeh's actions could prevent them from exercising their democratic right to choose their next president.