Jordan's King Abdullah calls additional security for Israeli embassy 'strategic'
AMMAN — Jordan has agreed to enhance the protection of the Israeli
embassy in the wake of an attack on a convoy.
Jordanian sources said King Abdullah has ordered his security forces to
bolster protection of the Israeli embassy and diplomats in after a failed
attack in January 2010, Middle East Newsline reported. They said authorities would bolster VIP protection
and provide advanced equipment for Israeli convoys.
"The king believes that an attack on the Israeli presence in Jordan has
strategic implications," a Jordanian source said.
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The sources said Abdullah has approved the entry of advanced Israeli
equipment and vehicles for the Israeli embassy. They said Abdullah even
offered the embassy a jeep that could jam bombs at a distance of between one
and three kilometers.
"The jeep was given to Israel after the IED attack," the source said.
"This is the same type of vehicle used by the king."
The unidentified vehicle was meant to enhance protection of Israeli
embassy convoys after an IED ambush near the Allenby Bridge. A bomb
exploded near an armored Israeli vehicle and nobody was injured. Later,
dozens of suspects were arrested.
The sources said Israel and Jordan have reviewed the IED strike as well
as threat assessments in 2010. They said the intelligence services of both
countries have concluded that Israeli and U.S. targets would come under
increasing threat over the next year.
"There are a lot of political disagreements between Israel and Jordan,
but both are committed to regional stability," the source said.
