Hamas Official Zaher Jabrin Urges Jordanians to Rise Against Israel

King Abdullah in a Tough Spot

Senior Hamas official Zaher Jabrin has called on Jordanians to rise against Israel, placing King Abdullah in a precarious position. Iran’s strategic advances along the Lebanese-Israeli border have emboldened Tehran to extend its influence into Jordan.

Jabrin’s comments are part of a series of provocative statements from Hamas officials. In December, following the assassination of his predecessor Saleh Arouri, Jabrin called on Palestinians globally to defend Jerusalem. In April, Khaled Mashal urged Jordanians to “mix Arab blood with Palestinian blood,” sparking nationwide unrest.

That same month, senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk suggested that if Qatar were to expel Hamas, the group would relocate to Jordan. This was seen as a direct threat by Jordanian officials, who view Hamas’ return as a significant threat to national security.

Iran applies pressure on Jordan through proxy militias stationed along the Iraq-Jordan border. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Shi’ite conscripts, including Jordanian and Iraqi recruits, are mobilizing in these militias.

King Abdullah has urgently called upon Arab nations and the United States for support, highlighting Jordan’s role as a buffer state between Israel and the Iranian bloc. Israel and Jordan share a 350-kilometer border, and many missiles and drones launched by Iran in an April attack on Israel were intercepted by the Jordanian military.

Tehran has threatened that Jordan “will be the next target” if Amman intervenes with Israel. Iran has also launched a disinformation campaign claiming that Amman allowed the Israeli Air Force to use Jordanian airspace.

Attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthis have reduced traffic in the Port of Aqaba by around 20% in early 2024. Jordan is also grappling with efforts to smuggle weapons into its territory, destined for use within Israel. Israeli authorities attribute these operations to Iranian support, channeled through Palestinian youth and Hamas’ infrastructure within refugee camps.

Iran claims its actions support the Palestinian cause, but Jordanian authorities recognize that their kingdom could be the next target in Iran’s crosshairs.