| Israel was represented at King Hussein's funeral by President Weizman, Prime Minister Netanyahu, former prime ministers Peres and Shamir, Foreign Minister Sharon, former foreign minister Barak, Defense Minister Arens, former defense minister Mordechai, and other public figures. The Prime Minister and the new King held a brief meeting. Text: During the funeral of King Hussein in Amman today (Monday), 8.2.99, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Jordan's King Abdullah and expressed his condolences over the death of his father. King Abdullah told Prime Minister Netanyahu that he was deeply moved by his kind words and words of tribute for King Hussein. "I appreciate your support and the support of the Israeli people at this time," the King said, adding that he was sorry that the meeting between them did not take place yesterday as originally planned. However, he said that he would make an effort to hold the meeting as soon as possible, in order to maintain the warm relations between Jordan and Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu told King Abdullah, "The sorrow in Israel over the death of the King is nearly as deeply felt as it is in Jordan. The entire nation shares the hope for your success. I, personally, view you as a partner for peace and I will make a renewed effort to advance peace. This event has caused all of us to intensify the desire to move peace forward." During the funeral, PM Netanyahu held a short discussion with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in the palace in which the visiting dignitaries passed by King Hussein's casket. He also spoke with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, U.S. President Bill Clinton (mainly about economic aid for Jordan), three former U.S. presidents, Bush, Ford and Carter who asked about Israeli domestic politics, Britain's Prince Charles and other world leaders. |
Summary of a Meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and King Abdullah of Jordan
(February 8, 1999)