The Political Role of Jordan in the Arab League, 1946-1951 (on materials of Egyptian Press)
Abstract
The purpose of research paper is to shed light on the political role played by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan within the Arab League during the reign of King Abdullah I 1946-1951. The study analyses Jordan’s stance on shared Arab issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, by examining coverage in the Egyptian press.
The scientific novelty of the research paper is study utilizes rare Egyptian press materials to analyze Jordan’s political role in the Arab League, offering a unique perspective on its positions and interactions. It examines Jordan’s stance on the Palestinian cause and its leadership within the League, highlighting the political dynamics of the time.
Conclusions. The political and military role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Palestinian cause was pivotal both before and after the war. Under the leadership of King Abdullah I, Jordan emerged as a vital center for Arab efforts, uniting positions and collaborating with Arab states to support Palestine in the face of numerous challenges. Despite international and regional pressures, the Kingdom maintained a steadfast position in supporting the Palestinian cause, achieving strong coordination with Arab countries despite occasional disagreements.
This role was manifested through active participation in political and military events, particularly in the Arab conference aimed at fostering Arab unity to counter Zionist ambitions, while steadfastly rejecting the partition of Palestine. Jordan’s position was not limited to supporting Palestine; it also extended to opposing political projects that threatened the future of the Arab nation.
The Egyptian press documented Jordan’s role, offering both support and criticism, influenced by Egypt-Jordan rivalries. During the 1948 Palestine War, Jordan showcased its political and military strength, with Amman becoming a hub for Arab movements. However, Egyptian press coverage was often biased, reflecting political competition. Despite King Abdullah’s push for Arab unity, regional challenges hindered his goals.
Amidst political transformations, Jordanian-Arab relations faced numerous challenges, especially regarding the representation of Palestinian Arabs and projects for Arab unity. Despite Jordan’s efforts to achieve Arab unity under King Abdullah’s leadership, conflicting interests hindered its realization, weakening Arab coordination at times. Nevertheless, these challenges serve as a testament to Jordan’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause and its resilience in facing political and regional challenges.
References
Ahmad, Y.Y. (2001). The Arab League: Its developments and challenges. Cairo: Dar al-Shorouk [in English].
Anis, M. (1986). Intra-Arab relations in the twentieth century. Cairo: Dar al-Nahda al-Arabiya [in English].
Bar-Joseph, U. (2007). The best of enemies: Israel and Transjordan in the war of 1948. Westview Press [in English].
Kayali, A.W. (1975). The modern history of Palestine. Beirut: The Arab Institute for Studies and Publishing [in English].
Khalidi, W. (1987). The 1948 war: Political and military studies. Beirut: Centre for Arab Unity Studies [in English].
King Abdullah I. (Auth.) & Kamal, A.A. (Trans.) (1950). Memoirs of King Abdullah. Cairo: Dar al-Hilal [in English].
MacDonald, R.W. (1990). The League of Arab States: A study in dynamics of regional organization. Princeton University Press [in English].
Sharaf al-Din, F. (1990). Arab unity projects: From Greater Syria to modern nationalism. Beirut: Dar al-Thaqafa al-Jadida [in English].
Shlaim, A. (2000). Collusion across the Jordan: King Abdullah, the Zionist movement, and the partition of Palestine. Oxford University Press [in English].

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.