IDF Commander Predicts End Of Hashemite Rule In Jordan
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By Amos Harel and Yoav Stern
Haaretz
Thu, February 23, 2006

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday called Jordan's King Abdullah II and apologized for GOC Central Command Major General Yair Naveh's predictions that the Hashemite Kingdom will be toppled by an "Islamic Axis."

Olmert told Abdullah that Naveh's comments did not reflect Israel's official positions.

Earlier, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz presided over a special meeting dealing with the diplomatic imbroglio that the comments triggered.

On Wednesday, Naveh expressed uncertainty regarding the future of the Hashemite rule in Jordan, sparking off a diplomatic crisis with Amman.

Naveh noted that at least 80 percent of Jordan's citizens are Palestinian and said that, due to regional threats including Hamas' rise to power, King Abdullah is liable to be the last Hashemite Monarch to lead the Kingdom. He also warned of the creation of an "Islamist Axis" that could topple the regime.

These comments, which Naveh made during a lecture in Jerusalem, caused fury in Amman, and Jordan threatened to reduce official ties with Israel.

An official in Jordan's embassy in Israel, Omar A-Nadif, said Wednesday the Jordanian government expects "appropriate measures" to be taken against Naveh. He warned that failing to do so could harm Israel-Jordanian ties.

Israel issued hasty explanations and apologies. Naveh sent a letter of apology to his Jordanian counterpart, Israel Radio reported Thursday morning.

Security sources said Wednesday night that there is no intention to dismiss Naveh following his comments.

Naveh spoke at a closed-door briefing at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, attended by some 50 guests, most of whom were diplomats and foreign Journalists.

Speaking in Hebrew with a simultaneous translation into English, Naveh addressed the deepening Iranian influence in the region and the close ties between Palestinians in the West Bank and Jordan.

"Given that Jordan is 80 percent Palestinian, we might--heaven forbid--reach a situation in which Abdullah is the last Hashemite King," Naveh said.

Defense sources admitted Wednesday night that Naveh's statements upset the Jordanian regime and required an inquiry. However, military sources said these statements did not interfere with Jordan's internal affairs.

"He did not speak out against the king nor express hope for a change in the situation. On the contrary, he expressed fear for the regime. It was a professional analysis of what could happen," a source said.

Jordanian sources called Naveh's statements unacceptable and tantamount to insulting the Hashemite Kingdom.

Another senior officer also appeared to put his foot in his mouth Wednesday regarding a sensitive diplomatic issue. Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky said the Midle East is in a state of uncertainty and that "even in Egypt we see initial signs of a possible undermining of President Mubarak's solid regime."

The best-known Naveh imbroglio took place in April 2001, except the other party was the United States, not Jordan.

Naveh, who was serving as commander of IDF forces in Gaza, oversaw the first Israeli entry in Palestinian Authority territory. A siege of Beit-Hanun in reaction to mortar fire on Sderot. After being ordered to prepare for long-term activity, Naveh told Journalists the IDF would remain in the area "as long as necessary: days, weeks and even months."

The American administration, which had been told that the operation would last 24 hours, was steaming mad. The same evening, the IDF forces were taken out of Gaza and the IF spokesman announced the next day that the chief of staff had rebuked the Gaza commander for exceeding the bounds of authority in his comments to the press.

Note:
Those were excerpts from 2 articles, The complete articles can be read at:

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/686167.html

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/686242.html