By: Ilan Evyatar
A Jordanian man stabbed a security guard at the Israeli embassy in Amman on Sunday evening. The attacker and one additional Jordanian were shot dead, and one Israeli was reported wounded.
An Israeli security guard opened fire on two Jordanians after one of them attacked him with a screwdriver, killing both. The second man killed was the building owner.
Jordanian officials are reportedly holding the Israeli guard in custody at the Israeli Embassy compound, although he enjoys diplomatic immunity and, according to the Israel Foreign Ministry, cannot be arrested or investigated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the guard back to Israel as soon as possible, though the Jordanian authorities have said they will not release him or allow him to use his diplomatic immunity.
Jordanian media reported that the area around the embassy was sealed off following reports of gunfire. According to the Saraya website, the incident occurred inside the embassy.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement said that the Israeli government is “working through various channels” with the Jordanian government to resolve the diplomatic crisis.
Tensions are currently high between Israel and Jordan. Large anti-Israel demonstrations were held in several Jordanian cities on Friday in protest of Israeli security measures on the Temple Mount, where Jordan technically holds sovereignty. Demonstrations were reported in Amman, Zarqa, Karak and Salt. A majority of Jordan’s population are of Palestinian origin.
Jordan, which is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, has called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League.
