Jordan accepts Israel's pick of ambassador, as ties improve
Amir Weissbrod 'can start his mission any time now' according to a Jordanian government spokesman, after being chosen to replace Einat Schlein, who was declared persona non grata by Amman following shooting incident involving Israeli guard.
Government spokesman Mohammed Momani said Thursday that the envoy, Amir Weissbrod, "can start his mission any time now."
The posting of a new Israeli ambassador would end one of the tensest episodes since the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1994.
It began last summer when a security guard at the Israeli embassy in Jordan shot and killed two Jordanians, alleging one attacked him with a screw driver. The Israeli guard and Israel's then-ambassador Einat Schlein were given a hero's welcome by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, infuriating Jordan.
Jordanian authorities say they suspect the shooting was unprovoked but could not investigate the guard due to his diplomatic immunity.
Earlier this year, the two sides said they found a way to overcome the crisis, including appointing a new Israeli ambassador.
A senior official confirmed after the incident that Schlein would not be returning to Amman. "The Jordanians don't want her back, and this has been a big obstacle in patching things up."
Israel has shown no sign of meeting Jordan's demand that it launch criminal proceedings against the guard, who was identified, much to Israel's chagrin after the shooting, by the Jordanian daily Al-Rad as Ziv Moyal, 28. His diplomatic identity card was also published, delivering a blow to Israel which had censored the publication of his details.
Reuters contributed to this report.
