The London-based Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper reported that Fatah
dissident Mohammed Dahlan also acquired Jordanian citizenship, Middle East Newsline reported. The newspaper
identified other Palestinians who gained Jordanian citizenship as former PA
Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and PA spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh.
"This is shameful for them because they and their families should be
proud of their Palestinian citizenship," Al Quds Al Arabi said in an
editorial. "If they don’t believe in their own citizenship and are not proud
of it, this means that they are not loyal to the Palestinian Authority and
don’t deserve to speak on its behalf."
Abdullah's approval has angered the opposition in the Hashemite kingdom.
Deputy parliamentary speaker Atef Tarawneh said the issuing of citizenship
to the West Bank leadership belies a decision by the kingdom to revoke the
citizenship of thousands of ordinary Palestinians who have been living
abroad.
"This is harmful," Tarawneh said.
The Jordanian deputy speaker, who said he spoke to the king, cited some
of those Palestinians granted citizenship. He said they included PA Chairman
Mahmoud Abbas and his two sons, both of them leading businessmen in the West
Bank.
In a related development, an opposition statement has accused Jordan's
Queen Rania of facilitating citizenship for her family and 78,000
Palestinians between 2005 and 2010. A statement by 36 Bedouin tribal leaders
said the Hashemite kingdom was in danger unless the royal family halted
corruption.
"The queen is building centers to boost her power and serve her
interests, against the will of Jordanians and Hashemites," the tribal
leaders said.