jordan faces a complex strategic challenge regarding the West Bank following Israel’s decision to revoke the 1953 Jordanian Land Law, which had regulated land ownership and prohibited the sale of land to non Jordanians without Cabinet approval.

Experts describe the move as a dangerous development that paves the way for a phase of full annexation of the West Bank, warning of wide ranging demographic, political and economic repercussions for both Jordan and Palestine.

This development is not merely a legal amendment, it constitutes a direct threat to Jordan’s national security, given the deep historical and demographic ties between the two sides. This article examines the potential strategies Amman may adopt to navigate this sensitive and high stakes الملف.

Historically, Jordan has been closely linked to the West Bank, administering it from its annexation in 1950 until the legal and administrative disengagement in 1988. Despite disengagement, the West Bank has remained integral to Jordan’s national security due to intertwined population, economic and geographic realities.

The 1953 Jordanian law, which remained in effect in the West Bank, aimed to preserve land ownership and prevent Israeli settlement penetration by prohibiting land sales to non Jordanians.

From Gradual Annexation to Full Annexation

Experts argue that revoking the Jordanian law opens the door to full annexation rather than the piecemeal annexation policy Israel had previously pursued. The decision provides Israeli legal cover to confiscate unregistered or abandoned lands and significantly expand settlements, threatening large scale demographic change in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, potentially pushing Palestinians toward Jordan. The suspicious timing of the decision may be linked to international trade offs or the exploitation of current regional circumstances to accelerate the settlement agenda.

One of the most serious potential consequences is demographic displacement targeting both Jordan and Palestine. Jordan, already hosting large numbers of Palestinian refugees, fears new waves of displacement that could destabilize its internal balance and impose enormous economic and social pressures. Any radical change on the ground in the West Bank carries direct implications for Jordanian security.

Military expert and political analyst Dr Nidal Abu Zaid described the Israeli decision to revoke the 1953 land law as a dangerous development that ends the phase of piecemeal annexation and initiates full annexation, warning of demographic displacement plans affecting both Jordan and Palestine.

Speaking to Radio Al Balad, Abu Zaid revealed that the timing of the Israeli cabinet decision was not coincidental, coming just 24 hours before a scheduled meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. He pointed to indications of a political trade off behind the scenes, suggesting potential American leniency toward annexation measures in the West Bank in exchange for understandings related to the Rafah crossing in Gaza.

These challenges require complex and multidimensional diplomatic maneuvering by Jordan, balancing national interests with regional stability.

Abu Zaid explained that the revoked Jordanian law had long served as a legal barrier, criminalizing direct land sales to Jews and imposing severe penalties, including hard labor. With its removal, the occupation shifts from engineering geography through settlement expansion to engineering demography.

He warned of what he termed soft displacement, noting that Israel may not resort to the traditional scenes of forced expulsion seen in 1948 or 1967, but instead apply suffocating economic, legal and living pressures on Palestinians in targeted areas, especially Area C, which constitutes 60 percent of the West Bank, pushing Jordanian passport holders among them to relocate eastward under the weight of imposed realities.

Abu Zaid considered the move a direct hostile political message to Jordan, undermining its historical and political role in the West Bank. He linked the decision to additional measures such as canceling statutes of limitation in Qalandiya and expanding major settlement blocs like Maale Adumim east of Jerusalem, tightening control over Jerusalem and further isolating it.

Collective Diplomacy and Regional Alliances

Active diplomacy remains the cornerstone of Jordan’s strategy. Amman is expected to intensify pressure through regional and international forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to mobilize support and halt Israeli measures. This role has already been reflected in Jordan’s joint condemnation, alongside eight Arab and Islamic states, of Israel’s illegal decisions and actions. Such regional coordination strengthens international pressure and reinforces Jordan’s leadership role in confronting occupation policies.

Regarding response mechanisms, Abu Zaid outlined three principal tracks for Jordanian action, escalating political and media rhetoric regarding violations of the Hashemite custodianship, signaling the right of return as a particularly sensitive pressure point for Israel, and promoting a Palestine for Palestinians narrative as a political and legal counter to annexation and liquidation projects.

Leveraging International Legitimacy

Jordan’s position rests firmly on international legitimacy, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns measures altering the legal and demographic character of occupied territory. This strengthens Amman’s standing and blocks normalization of Israeli actions. Jordan is likely to utilize platforms such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to hold Israel accountable, emphasizing that while occupation authorities may suspend Jordanian laws militarily, they cannot permanently replace them legally.

Economic and Security Pressure

As a strategic partner to Israel in areas such as gas and trade, Jordan may consider economic leverage. This could include suspending economic agreements or threatening to close border crossings, steps that would impact Israel’s economy without direct military escalation. Such maneuvering reflects a form of calibrated deterrence that preserves overall stability while signaling firm rejection of annexation policies.

Political science professor Dr Badr Madi warned that the Palestinian القضية is currently passing through one of its most dangerous phases. Speaking on Radio Al Balad, he argued that these steps represent a clear declaration of Israel’s unwillingness to accept a two state solution.

Analyzing the cabinet decision to revoke the Jordanian law banning land sales to Jews in the West Bank, Madi explained that the move aims primarily to provide Israel with legal cover before the international community.

He stated that the danger lies in Israel’s attempt to legitimize its land seizures, shifting from appearing as a military occupier to presenting acquisitions as lawful transactions through sale contracts with original landowners.

According to Madi, this approach weakens Palestinian and international demands for Israeli withdrawal, as Israel seeks to secure a negotiating advantage by brandishing ownership documents in any future talks.

Commenting on the Palestinian Authority’s request for an urgent Arab League meeting, Madi described the move as symbolically and historically necessary to register a unified Arab position, but expressed doubt about its ability to effect tangible change absent genuine international pressure.

He concluded by noting that the only actor capable of restraining Israeli behavior and altering the rules of the game is the United States. However, he expressed skepticism about relying on Washington, arguing that recent American positions raise serious questions and make it difficult to expect a decisive or ethical stance that would halt settlement expansion and sovereignty imposition.

Reinforcing the Religious and Legal Role

As custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, Jordan is expected to strengthen its religious and legal role, linking the West Bank file to the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque. Amman may push for legal activation of suspended Jordanian laws through the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing that such laws cannot be permanently annulled without constitutional transformation on the Israeli side.

When asked about available tools, Madi offered a sober assessment, acknowledging that options are extremely limited. He noted that human behavior under intense pressure can change, and while the overwhelming majority of Palestinians may resist Israeli demands, sustained daily pressure by an extreme right wing government could erode resistance over time.

He stressed that Jordan, despite its historical and legal role in protecting land and holy sites, now faces a complex legal challenge following the removal of what had been a key barrier against land transfer.

Preserving Internal Stability

To counter demographic displacement risks, Amman will focus on reinforcing internal stability, supporting Jordanian communities of Palestinian origin and monitoring demographic impacts. This includes strengthening border controls and preventing forced migration flows while maintaining the principle of no Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian land.

Jordan’s maneuvering will not be easy. Ongoing settlement expansion, including the construction of thousands of housing units, risks violent escalation and a humanitarian crisis directly affecting Jordan. The politically sensitive timing of the Israeli decision may also indicate broader international bargains, further complicating the landscape.

Close coordination with the Palestinian Authority remains crucial. Without a unified and resilient Palestinian front, Jordan will struggle to mobilize effective international support.

Possible Scenarios

If Israel succeeds in achieving full annexation, Jordan could lose part of its historical influence. Yet through skillful diplomacy, Amman may transform the challenge into an opportunity to reinforce its regional role as a stabilizing actor. Jordan’s long term approach rests on strategic patience, converting threat into international pressure capable of obstructing full annexation and safeguarding Palestinian rights. The Jordanian law remains suspended militarily, leaving room for legal and diplomatic maneuver.

The revocation of the 1953 Jordanian Land Law marks a serious turning point in the West Bank file, placing Jordan before profound strategic tests. Amman’s maneuver depends on a multidimensional strategy combining active diplomacy, legal pressure, economic and security leverage, and the preservation of its historical custodial role. The overarching objective remains the protection of Jordanian national security, prevention of demographic displacement, and preservation of the two state horizon as the only viable path toward peace and stability in the region.