The Jordanian government on Tuesday offered to liaise in the repatriation of hundreds of activists currently held by Israel after its deadly attack on a Gaza—bound aid flotilla.
At least seven countries — Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Morocco, Algeria and Pakistan — have so far asked Jordan to help return their nationals who were among around 600 people from 32 countries aboard the convoy of ships, Minister of State for Media Affairs Nabil Sharif said.
“The foreign ministry is coordinating with all countries with citizens arrested in Israel to ensure the evacuation of their nationals to Jordan, extend medical treatment to the wounded and arrange for their departure home,” he added.
Mr. Sharif said that the government had received assurances that all 24 Jordanians aboard the flotilla were in good health.
Kuwait has 17 nationals, including 5 women, among the flotilla activists now detained in Israel.
Retaliatory step against Israel
In a retaliatory step against Israel, the Kuwaiti government on Tuesday supported a motion at the National Assembly to withdraw from the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, according to state—run Kuwaiti media.
The Saudi—authored Arab plan offers Israel recognition by all Arab states if it pulls out from all the Arab territories it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, including East Jerusalem.