Politics
08:14, 19-Jan-2018
Israel confirms reaching deal with Jordan to solve crisis over deadly embassy shooting
["china"]
Share
Copied
Israel confirmed that an agreement was reached with Jordan to resume full diplomatic ties, after a seven-month crisis caused by the killing of two Jordanian citizens by an Israeli security guard.
On Thursday evening, Jordanian Government Spokesman Mohammad al Momani said that the Israeli foreign ministry had sent a memorandum in which it expressed its "deep regrets and apologies" over the shooting at the Israeli embassy in Amman on July 23, according to the state-owned Petra news agency.
Israel also promised to take legal steps in the case, the news agency reported.
In a following statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Israel confirmed a deal was reached between the two countries.
Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, July 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, July 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo
"The Israeli embassy in Jordan will return to full activity immediately," the statement read.
Additionally, "the Israeli authorities will continue reviewing the materials regarding the July 2017 incident and anticipate making a decision in the coming weeks," according to the statement.
The Prime Minister's Office noted that "Israel attaches great importance to its strategic relations with Jordan, and the two countries will act to advance their cooperation and to strengthen the peace treaty between them."
The Hebrew-language Ynet news site reported that the ambassador at the time of the incident, Einat Shlein, would be replaced with a new envoy.
Jordanian police stand guard during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan July 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Jordanian police stand guard during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan July 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo
In the incident, the guard shot dead a teenage workman who was delivering bedroom furniture to his apartment within the embassy compound and a bystander.
The embassy was closed and Israel quickly repatriated the guard, citing diplomatic immunity, together with the entire embassy staff.
Jordan launched a criminal investigation, while Israel said the guard opened fire in self-defense after being assaulted in what officials called a "terrorist attack."
After the shooting, Jordan maintained that it will not allow Israel to reopen the embassy before it has started legal proceedings against the Israeli guard.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency