Scenes captured by Jordanian agricultural sector activists show land clearing operations for what are called railways or mining industries, in the Jordan Valley region along the border with occupied Palestine, amid “political suspicions” behind this matter, which may be related to what are called “stability and peace projects in the Middle East”, according to political activist, Muhammad Khalaf Al-Hadid.
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While some speak more clearly, deliberately “politicizing” the entire project and linking it to a vague agenda to activate “normalization”.
The project, related to developing the shipping network between Ma'an and the port of Aqaba, for the purpose of securing the transport of the phosphate industry, comes amid talk of the US administration's interest in reviving and investing in land transport projects.
The project, which is linked to the development of the shipping network between Ma’an and the port of Aqaba, for the purpose of securing the transport of the phosphate industry, comes amid talk of the US administration’s interest in reviving and investing in land transport projects, noting that the American political activist, Sinan Shaqdih, warned in this context of parties in Washington seeking to take care of Israel’s interests only.
This also comes amid efforts to open up prospects for projects related to Gulf oil to Europe and the West via land, especially since the former Minister of Energy, Hala Zawati, had indicated that “energy security” is at the heart of Jordanian national security.
Apart from energy files, needs, and arrangements for energy transport projects, the issue of land acquisition has turned into a matter of public opinion.
This is due to the suspicion that the infrastructure being built in the region, in the areas of land transport and the metal industry, is part of a broader strategy related to American investment choices, based on a return to promoting “economic normalization,” amid Israeli ambitions to liquidate the Palestinian issue at the expense of Jordan.
Therefore, those who now object to the expropriation and bulldozing of lands use Israel to justify their concerns and ask about Israel's buffer zones, while the government does not make the appropriate effort to dispel the citizens' fears.
It can be said that the interaction that took place several times between the deputies of the “Nation” party and representatives of poor farmers and peasants in the Jordan Valley region was among the key links in raising the issue, which was also discussed by politicians and party members.
Former Speaker of Parliament and legal and legislative expert Abdul Karim Daghmi condemned the government's legislative policies, which he said could lead to an infringement on citizens' constitutional rights. Talal Sharafat, a leading figure in the New Conservative Party, also called for the rejection of the real estate ownership law, a demand the government ignored.
However, the law has passed through its constitutional stages and been published in the Official Gazette and has become subject to procedural implementation, which has prompted the formation of active committees moving towards rejecting the confiscation of lands, as some are providing small farmers with legal advice related to interpretations that enable them to resist the decisions to implement the new real estate ownership law, by resorting to the judiciary; as farmers can preserve their rights to own lands, away from compensation, and interpretations of the phrase public interest.
The constitution guarantees the rights of farmers, especially if the expropriation process does not lead to an improvement in the living standards of the population.
The constitution guarantees farmers' rights, especially if the expropriation process does not lead to an improvement in the population's standard of living or achieve development. According to agricultural activist Nabila al-Hashoush, confiscating land for investment purposes will not result in any increase in the economic activity of citizens.
“The public interest criteria that justify expropriations need explanation and detail, especially when it comes to confiscating real estate for the purposes of companies with foreign shareholders, from which the ordinary citizen does not directly benefit, taking into account the role of land clearing in threatening food security.”
In contrast, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration, Walid Al-Masri, confirmed that the railway projects will bring investment returns to citizens, farmers, and citizens whose lands are expropriated, but without clarifying when or how.
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