The relationship between Palestine and Jordan represents one of the most intricate and consequential dynamics in the modern Middle East. Situated directly west of Jordan, Palestine shares deep historical, cultural, and political ties with its eastern neighbor, creating a complex web of shared identity and distinct national aspirations. Understanding this connection is essential for grasping the broader geopolitical landscape of the region, from the legacy of the British Mandate to the ongoing quest for statehood and lasting peace.
A Shared History and Geographic Proximity
The lands of Palestine and Jordan were intertwined for centuries, long before the modern borders we know today were drawn. During the Ottoman Empire, the regions were largely administered as part of the same greater Syrian province, fostering interconnected economic and social structures. The pivotal moment came in 1921 when the British Mandate for Palestine was divided, establishing the semi-autonomous Emirate of Transjordan east of the Jordan River. This decision, rooted in the geopolitical calculations of the time, meant that the Hashemite family, originally from the Hijaz, came to rule what became Jordan, while the western territory remained the focus of Zionist aspirations and Arab nationalism.
The 1948 War and the Annexation of the West Bank
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the trajectory of both entities was forever altered. While the State of Israel was declared, the territory that became the West Bank was captured by Jordan, leading to its formal annexation in 1950. This period saw significant demographic shifts, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees fleeing or being displaced into camps in Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza. For Jordan, this expansion doubled its population overnight, presenting immense challenges but also solidifying its role as a central actor in the Palestinian cause, even as the annexation was never widely recognized internationally.
Black September and the End of Territorial Claims
The Political Turning Point of 1970
The relationship took a violent turn in what became known as Black September in 1970. Tensions between the Jordanian government and the Palestinian fedayeen, who had established a state within a state, culminated in a brutal civil war. The conflict ended with the expulsion of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Jordan, forcing its leadership to relocate to Lebanon. This decisive event marked Jordan’s renunciation of any legal or administrative claim to the West Bank, shifting its official policy to support a negotiated Palestinian state in the territories occupied in 1967, rather than annexation.
Contemporary Relations and the Two-State Solution
Today, Jordan and Palestine maintain a relationship defined by a delicate balance of security cooperation, economic interdependence, and shared political goals. Jordan remains a crucial advocate for a two-state solution, recognizing the State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. In return, Jordan relies on significant economic aid and political support from international partners, often channeled through its coordination with Palestinian authorities. The security situation remains paramount, with both sides acutely aware of the potential for instability to spill across the border.
Economic Ties and Labor Mobility
Economically, the connection is deeply embedded, though often asymmetrical. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian workers commute daily into Israel and, to a lesser extent, Jordan, forming a vital labor force. Jordan hosts one of the largest Palestinian refugee populations in the world, living in camps that have become permanent settlements. The economies are intertwined through trade, investment, and the movement of goods, yet Palestinian dependence on Israeli markets and Jordanian reliance on the stability of the Palestinian territories create a fragile economic ecosystem vulnerable to regional shocks.
