Amman — His Majesty King Abdullah II opened his Royal Speech at the inauguration of the third ordinary session of the 20th Parliament by referring to the brutal attack in Karak Governorate and its attempt to undermine Jordan’s security and unity.
اضافة اعلان
The opening was not merely a ceremonial reference or a recollection of a security incident. It carried a clear political message that confronting terrorism and extremism will remain among the state’s top priorities, and that addressing such threats is inseparable from protecting the national fabric and preserving the Kingdom’s stability.
The message gains particular importance from its timing and content. The King did not merely affirm the ability of the security and military institutions to confront threats, but placed the issue within a broader national framework by emphasizing the unity of the Jordanian family and stressing that the blood of the Karak martyrs is a trust that cannot be compromised. The message goes beyond condemnation to establish the principle that an attack on the security of any Jordanian area or group is an attack on the entire state and society.
Against this backdrop, the King appeared intent on reassuring Jordanians that, despite the challenges surrounding the country, Jordan possesses the strength and resilience needed to overcome them. As reflected in the speech, Jordanian stability is not a temporary condition or the product of a particular regional circumstance, but rests on the will of a people and state institutions that have demonstrated their ability to deal with crises.
The reference to the Arab Army and security services also reaffirmed the importance of these institutions in protecting the country and safeguarding its security, as well as the royal and public confidence in their role in confronting threats.
The Secret of Resilience
In one of the messages that most clearly expressed the philosophy of the Jordanian state in confronting crises, the King highlighted one of Jordan’s sources of strength when he noted that the people become more cohesive, perceptive and wise when adversity intensifies.
This statement was not simply an emotional description of Jordanians, but rather an assessment of the relationship between society and the state during times of crisis. The King views the cohesion of Jordanian society as a fundamental element of resilience, while the ability of Jordanians to overcome emotional reactions and remain committed to wisdom, loyalty and dedication represents a national asset no less important than the strength and capabilities of state institutions.
The King elaborated on the qualities of Jordanians, highlighting their awareness when paths become unclear, their wisdom when emotions run high, and their loyalty and dedication during times of hardship. These qualities are not merely words of praise, but reflect the royal reliance on society to protect stability and confront challenges. They also affirm that the state does not view its citizens merely as recipients of decisions, but as partners in safeguarding national achievements.
The speech can therefore be viewed as a renewal of mutual trust between the leadership and the people. The King reassures Jordanians of the state’s ability to protect their interests, while affirming that Jordan’s true strength lies in their awareness, cohesion and commitment to their country.
Arab Identity: A Firm Principle
The King’s emphasis on Jordanian and Arab principles in the Royal Speech did not come in isolation from a broader political context. Rather, it continued positions he has expressed on numerous national and international occasions, including his speech marking the 80th anniversary of independence, when he expressed his pride in Jordan’s principles and described the country as “Arab in spirit.”
In the Royal Speech, this message was renewed through a Hashemite perspective that views Arab identity as a political and historical commitment, rather than merely a cultural affiliation or slogan raised on special occasions. This approach draws on a longstanding Hashemite legacy of defending Arab causes and confirms that, despite its limited resources and the scale of the challenges it faces, Jordan does not approach its Arab surroundings solely through the lens of immediate interests.
Notably, the King did not present Arab unity of position as an accomplished or easy objective. He acknowledged that reaching a common Arab position and achieving consensus on shared issues may appear difficult. This frankness, however, does not mean abandoning the goal. Rather, it reflects an awareness of the complexities of the Arab reality, while maintaining that rapprochement, coordination and joint action remain objectives worth pursuing whenever the political will exists.
This is the significance of the message: Jordan does not present Arab unity as a political aspiration alone, but as a necessity imposed by the challenges facing the region. The Kingdom’s positions on Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and other Arab issues demonstrate the continuation of this approach and its commitment to supporting fellow Arab countries while respecting their sovereignty, security and stability.
Israel Threatens the Region’s Future
In addressing regional developments, the King placed Israeli expansionist ambitions and continued aggression among the foremost threats facing the future of the region and the hopes of its peoples for stability.
The message continues clear Jordanian positions previously presented by the King on international platforms, particularly at the United Nations, confirming that Jordan’s position on Israeli policies is not tied to a passing event but represents a strategic assessment of the risks posed by expansionist policies and their implications for regional security.
The speech reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause is not a humanitarian or political file that can simply be postponed, but a legitimate national rights issue. Any discussion of regional security and stability cannot be realistic unless it is accompanied by fulfilling the rights of the Palestinian people and establishing their independent state.
In this context, the speech highlighted what it described as three Israeli illusions: the illusion of legitimacy that tyranny seeks to impose, the illusion that truth can be erased over time, and the illusion that Jordan can retreat from its principles and established positions.
These messages are particularly significant because they do not merely reject Israeli policies, but challenge the political and ideological foundations underlying attempts to impose new realities. Legitimacy cannot be seized through force, rights do not disappear with time, and Jordanian positions do not change under pressure from ambitions or threats.
The specific reference to Jordan in this context also carries significance regarding Jordanian opposition to displacement, resettlement and the alternative homeland concept. It confirms that the Kingdom will not be party to any arrangements that undermine the rights of the Palestinian people or compromise its own interests and sovereignty.
The Nation as a Fundamental Pillar
The speech then moved from national and regional issues to defining the position of Parliament within the state system, a step carrying important constitutional and political implications, particularly as the third ordinary session comes at a stage requiring more effective legislative and oversight performance.
The King described Parliament as a fundamental and leading pillar of the political system and invoked the principle that “the nation is the source of authorities,” reaffirming the legislature’s position within Jordan’s constitutional structure. The strength of institutions, he stressed, stems from respecting the roles assigned by the Constitution to each branch of government and ensuring that their relationship is based on cooperation and balance rather than interference or encroachment on jurisdictions.
This emphasis cannot be separated from the nature of the current stage Jordan is experiencing and the need for a cohesive domestic front and institutions capable of expressing and defending citizens’ interests. Parliament, under this reading, is not merely a venue for passing legislation, but an institution that represents Jordanians and participates in shaping public policy and overseeing its implementation.
Most importantly, the King linked the strength of Parliament to its ability to make the national interest its objective, even when opinions differ. This reflects an understanding of the importance of pluralism within Parliament and confirms that political and parliamentary differences are not inherently a problem. They become a source of strength when conducted responsibly and in accordance with the public interest.
The speech also delivered a clear message to lawmakers that Parliament should be the voice of citizens, guardian of the public interest and monitor of government performance, making parliamentary work connected to tangible results that Jordanians can experience.
At the same time, the King highlighted another important aspect: the conduct and language of lawmakers under the dome. Parliamentary statements, positions and practices affect not only the image of Parliament but also Jordan and its institutions both domestically and internationally. Hence the reminder of the importance of appropriate language, respectful disagreement and preserving the standing of the legislative institution.
This message goes beyond regulating parliamentary discourse to affirm that democratic practice is a responsibility and that freedom of expression cannot be separated from respect for institutions, society and the interests of the state.
Citizens as the Measure of Achievement
On the economic and development front, the Royal Speech once again placed citizens at the center of public policy by emphasizing the need for Jordanians to feel the impact of development in education, healthcare and access to opportunities.
This message implicitly challenges any approach that focuses solely on indicators, figures and growth rates without translating those results into improvements in citizens’ daily lives. Under the vision presented in the speech, development is not measured only by the size of projects or economic indicators, but by its ability to improve services, create jobs and expand the number of people benefiting from economic growth.
This places the government before a test of its ability to move from announcing plans and programs to delivering measurable results that citizens can feel in their daily lives, particularly amid economic and living pressures requiring policies more closely aligned with people’s needs.
In the same context, the King stressed the importance of major economic projects and accelerating their completion, viewing them as projects that strengthen the country’s resilience and enhance its ability to confront challenges. Investment in infrastructure and strategic projects is inseparable from building the economy’s capacity for growth, creating jobs and improving services.
Water: A Sovereign Issue
Water security occupied a prominent place in the speech, with the King emphasizing that water is a national priority and that Jordan will not allow the thirst of Jordanians to become hostage to any circumstance, stressing that there will be no compromise on this issue.
This message cannot be viewed merely as a service-related directive to the government. Water security in Jordan is directly linked to national security, sovereignty and independence in decision-making. The Kingdom faces structural water challenges related to limited resources, population growth and climate change, in addition to regional complexities and shared water rights.
The King’s direct emphasis on this issue therefore signals the need to treat it as a strategic matter requiring long-term plans, protection of water rights, accelerated national projects, diversification of water sources and reduced dependence on external circumstances.
The wording of the royal message regarding the need to ensure that Jordanians’ thirst is not held hostage to any circumstance also reflects the sensitivity of the issue. Water must not become a tool of pressure or bargaining, and protecting this resource is part of protecting national decision-making.
This places an additional responsibility on the government, extending beyond the implementation of major water projects to building a proactive system that ensures sustainable resources and addresses risks before they develop into crises.
No Immunity for Those Who Abuse Their Positions
Among the central messages of the speech was the emphasis on the rule of law, linking public responsibility to achievement and service to citizens, while stressing that no one who abuses their position, name, influence or office should enjoy immunity.
The King thus established a clear standard for holding and retaining public positions. Responsibility is not a privilege or a source of social status; it is a duty accompanied by an obligation to deliver results, respect the law and serve the public. Performance and accountability therefore become the basis for evaluating officials, regardless of personal considerations, influence or position.
This message is particularly important in strengthening trust between citizens and state institutions. Administrative, economic and political reform cannot be achieved without establishing the principle that everyone is subject to the law and that the same standards apply across different positions and levels of authority.
The emphasis that no immunity exists for those who abuse their positions also sends a clear message to the public administration: holding office does not shield an official from accountability. Rather, it increases the scope of their responsibilities and places them under a higher standard of integrity and commitment.
Freedoms and the Etiquette of Disagreement
Before concluding the speech, the King delivered two messages concerning the relationship between the state and society. The first addressed participation in public affairs and expressing opinions, while the second concerned his confidence in Jordanians and their loyalty to their country.
The call for citizens to participate in public affairs and express their views, together with the emphasis on openness toward every sincere and responsible opinion, carries an important message: differences of opinion are not a threat to stability. They are part of a vibrant society and its ability to participate in decision-making, provided that they are expressed responsibly, with respect for others and adherence to the principles of respectful disagreement.
This approach distinguishes between responsible criticism and abuse, and between freedom of expression and violations against others or state institutions. It places public participation within its natural framework as both a right and a national practice that contributes to improving performance and correcting policies.
The second message came in an emotional tone reflecting the relationship the King sought to reaffirm with Jordanians, expressing his confidence in them and his pride in their loyalty to their homeland, describing them as his family and tribe and as a trust for which he is responsible.
This emotional dimension is inseparable from the political dimension of the speech; rather, it complements it. Trust in the people forms the basis for relying on their ability to protect the state and its institutions, while the King’s reaffirmation of his responsibility toward Jordanians places citizens once again at the center of the relationship between the leadership, the state and society.
A Speech That Defines Responsibilities
Ultimately, the Royal Speech was not merely a constitutional occasion marking the opening of the third ordinary session of the 20th Parliament. It carried a series of interconnected messages outlining the priorities of the next stage: national security that cannot be breached, firm Arab and Palestinian positions, sovereignty that is not subject to compromise, institutions required to fulfill their constitutional roles, development whose results citizens should experience, and a law that stands above everyone.
Notably, the speech combined messages of reassurance to Jordanians with messages of responsibility directed at institutions. The King reaffirmed his confidence in his people and the state’s ability to overcome challenges, while simultaneously placing the government and Parliament before clear responsibilities related to performance, achievement and accountability.
For the House of Representatives, the most important message is that its constitutional standing is not complete simply because it exists within the political system. It must be reflected in its ability to produce sound legislation, exercise effective oversight and represent citizens’ interests, while ensuring that differences under the dome serve as a means of reaching better outcomes rather than becoming an objective in themselves.
The government, meanwhile, is required to demonstrate that development goes beyond figures, that strategic projects are translated into reality, and that the rule of law and accountability are more than slogans in public discourse.
In this sense, the Royal Speech can be read as a definition of the state’s priorities and a distribution of responsibilities among its institutions and society. The effort to strengthen Jordan’s resilience begins with the cohesion of Jordanians, but it does not end there. It also requires strong institutions, responsible performance and decisions that place citizens’ interests first. This is the real test with which the third ordinary session begins its work.
Source: Al-Ghad
