Drama has been flaring up within the Jordanian Government, more specifically, within its ruling family– the Hashemites. The drama starts off with two half-brothers feeling differently about the growing issues within the country of Jordan. One of the half-brothers is Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein of Jordan who has been criticizing the government for their constant neglect for growing economic problems and social unrest. The other half-brother is King Abdullah II of Jordan who believes that his half-brother, the prince, was “working in collusion with unnamed foreign entities to ‘destabilize’ Jordan.”
Prince Hamzah has gained the majority of the population’s favorability in the case. Many Jordanian citizens believe that Prince Hamzah was the favorite son of King Hussein and they still idolize him to this day. Not only that, but he is also heavily supported by Jordanian tribes who had a lot to do with the development of the Jordanian Monarchy we see today. Over the weekend, Jordanian police arrested fifteen people, including a political figure and member of the royal family; Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein. However, Hamzah is believed to have been placed under house arrest. Hamzah publicly criticized Jordan's leadership in a video that he actually sent to media outlets (those not in control by King Abdullah II). King Abdullah II’s argument was that Hamzah was “working in collusion with unnamed foreign entities to ‘destabilize’ Jordan.” Hamzah denied these allegations and stated in a video statement that these arrests were just a “bid to silence growing criticism of government corruption.” Hamzah’s popular support amongst the citizens has led them to openly oppose his alleged detainment. Surprisingly though, Hamzah decided to sign a letter pledging allegiance to the king– in a selfless manner– to put an end to such drama that has been growing uncertainty amongst the citizens… which did nothing.
"To protect the secrecy of the investigations that security apparatuses are carrying out, and which are connected to the His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein and others, publication of anything related to (the case) has been banned at this stage of the investigation"
Prince Hamzah’s response to this was that the Jordanians' "well-being has been put second by a ruling system that has decided that its personal interests, financial interests, that its corruption is more important than the lives and dignity and future of the ten million people who live here."The bitterness between these two gentlemen may seem like a short run issue that will eventually be solved, but with the publicity of it all may imply a slow destruction of Jordan’s regional security. For example, the US has relied on Jordan as a “diplomatic, military and counter-terrorism partner over the years.” Furthermore, Jordan currently has the longest-running peace treaty with Israel who they work very closely with on defense and intelligence. With two royal family members in public opposition by defending separate morals, Jordan’s role in regional security could drastically fall apart.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/06/middleeast/jordan-prince-social-media-ban-intl/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/middleeast/jordan-arrests-royal-family-explainer-intl/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/03/middleeast/jordan-royal-family-arrested-hassan-bin-zaid-intl/index.html
https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/styles/article_page/public/images-story/King%20Abdullah%20II%20and%20Prince%20Hamzah%20bin%20Hussein_AFP.jpg?itok=Q0eyrdoo
https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/000_96L4B6.jpg?resize=770%2C513
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