Jordan and the Palestine Question : Role of Islamic and Left Forces in Foreign Policy-making

Jordan is unique in its political, geographic, and demographic complexion located at the heart of a turbulent Middle East.

With limited natural resources at its disposal, the country is exceptionally dependent on good foreign relations and foreign aid.

This situation makes a fascinating subject for a case study of the relationship between foreign and domestic politics in the Arab world a singularly under-researched and neglected subject.

With foreign policy so high on the political agenda, Jordan has become a key participant in the Palestinian imbroglio, which has been played out both on the international stage and closer to home, within Jordan's mainly Palestinian population.

Dr Sami Al-Khazendar examines the critical years of the crisis leading up to the Palestinian uprising (intifada) and beyond, a period which witnessed many significant events and developments in the Middle East, including Camp David, Israel's invasion of the Lebanon, the expulsion of the PLO from Lebanon, the Reagan Plan, the Fez Arab Peace Initiative, the PLO Jordan Agreement and the dispute which ensued (1986 1988). He also investigates the intifada and its effects, the Jordanian decision to disengage from the West Bank, the PLO s recognition of the Jewish state and UN Resolution 242.

In doing so, he assesses the impact of these events and developments on relations between the government and its internal opposition.

Drawing on personal interviews with senior figures as much as on books and newspapers of the period, the author explores the complex interaction between King Hussein s government and these dominant and opposing ideological forces.

Ultimately, he questions the effect of this opposition on key government policies.