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Obama marks Jordan-Israel peace deal as reminder of hope
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Oct. 28--AMMAN -- US President Barack Obama has said the peace treaty signed 15 years ago between Jordan and Israel is a reminder that peace is always possible, despite obstacles that may seem impossible to overcome, the Associated Press reported from Washington.

Obama said Monday that as he and other administration officials work to restart stalled peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis, they are inspired by what Jordan and Israel achieved 15 years ago, "knowing that the destination is worthy of the struggle".

His Majesty the late King Hussein and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed the treaty in 1994 in Wadi Araba near the Jordanian-Israeli border. The Kingdom was the second Arab country to make peace with Israel after Egypt, which signed the Camp David Accords in 1978.

The Kingdom's relations with Israel have come under stress recently after repeated violations by Israeli forces of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, which remain under Jordanian supervision per the terms of the treaty.

Opposition groups in the Kingdom have voiced dissatisfaction with the treaty and have repeatedly called on the government to revoke it.

Marking the treaty's 15th anniversary on Monday, senior opposition leaders said the treaty has produced few if any benefits for Jordan and has legitimised illegal acts by Israel.

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