Jordan and Israel are taking active steps to improve their bilateral relationship, but Amman’s deep roots in the West Bank mean the durability of the rapprochement will hinge on Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories. In early July, officials from Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s new government held their first meeting with their Jordanian counterparts since taking office. During that meeting, Israel agreed to increase the amount of water it annually shares with Jordan to 50 million cubic meters -- nearly double the 30 million cubic meters Israel usually provides. If this larger transfer actually happens, it would mark the first time that Israel has followed through on the water-sharing component of its peace agreement with Jordan since it was signed in 1994. In a further indication of warming ties between the two countries, Bennett also secretly met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman earlier this month. ...
