Jordanian Officials Condemn Church Attack While Criticizing Israel
Translated & summarized from Mida by baba
Nine people were killed and 40 injured in a shooting at a church funeral in Jordan on October 23, with attackers identified as ISIS affiliates. While King Abdullah II and other officials condemned the attack, the article criticizes the Chief Mufti, Speaker of the House, and Minister of Communications for not condemning the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, with some even expressing support for Palestinians against Israel. The piece highlights a perceived double standard in Jordanian official reactions to violence, contrasting their condemnation of the church attack with their silence or justification regarding attacks on Israelis.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Nine people were killed and 40 injured in a church attack in Jordan on October 23.
- Jordanian officials, including the King, condemned the church attack.
- Chief Mufti Al-Hasanat condemned the church attack but not the October 7th Hamas massacre.
- Speaker Al-Kadhi has an extreme anti-Israel stance and has not condemned the October 7th attack.
- Minister Al-Momani vowed revenge for the church attack but justified the October 7th Hamas attack.
- The article criticizes Jordanian officials for perceived hypocrisy and double standards regarding attacks on Israelis.
A deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church funeral in the village of Hamoud, Karak Governorate, southern Jordan, on Friday, October 23, resulted in nine deaths and approximately 40 injuries. The attackers, believed to be affiliated with ISIS, were apprehended on Monday, October 26, after a firefight, according to official sources. Security footage indicated at least three assailants armed with automatic weapons and a pistol carried out indiscriminate firing for an extended period, including executing victims.
King Abdullah II visited the injured in the hospital, dressed in military uniform, vowing a harsh response against those involved and emphasizing the kingdom's unity against extremism. Similar sentiments were echoed by senior Jordanian leaders from tribal, religious, academic, and governmental sectors, including Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Awqaf, and the Minister of Communications.
However, the article highlights perceived hypocrisy in official Jordanian reactions. Chief Mufti Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Hasanat, who was appointed in November 2023, strongly condemned the church attack, stating Islam is innocent of terrorism and that harming innocent civilians and places of worship contradicts Islamic principles. He emphasized the special relationship between Muslims and Christians as "People of the Book" and cited Prophet Muhammad's prohibition against destroying churches. Al-Hasanat also stated that the state, not just victim families, must hold perpetrators accountable.
Despite this condemnation, the article notes that Al-Hasanat has never publicly denounced the October 7th Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, nor other attacks against Israelis. Instead, he has expressed support for Gaza's residents and their struggle against Israel, even praying that "Allah not raise a flag for the Jews in Gaza." The article suggests this stance aligns with extremist Islamic interpretations that deem all Israelis combatants, a view it contrasts with the official, moderate Islamic stance that forbids harming civilians, especially in a country like Jordan with which Israel has a peace treaty.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mazeen Al-Kadhi, who has taken an extreme stance against Israel, including supporting the removal of "State of Israel" from official records, has not condemned the October 7th massacre. Instead, he has blamed Israel for escalation and state terrorism, demanding an end to the occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Minister of Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammed Al-Momani, also speaking after the terrorists' capture, vowed Jordan would "avenge the blood of its martyrs" and strike with an "iron fist." However, he did not condemn the Hamas attack, instead justifying it as a consequence of the "occupation of Palestine 75 years ago," placing sole responsibility on Israel. The article contrasts this with Jordan's right to retaliate against those who attacked Christians, questioning why Israel, after a far larger massacre, is blamed for the attack on its own territory. The piece concludes by criticizing the perceived double standards and growing extremism within the Jordanian establishment, urging Israeli diplomacy to confront such hypocrisy directly.
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