Global Geopolitical Series: Jordon plans to revoke citizenship of PA President Abbas

London based Arabic language newspaper, Raialyoum reported on Wednesday that Jordon is planning to revoke the citizenship of several senior Palestinian Authority (PA) officials and their families including PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The citizenships were granted to these senior leaders almost a decade ago. The officials who are slated to lose their citizenship also include Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Palestinian Authority negotiator Ahmed Qurei. There would also be changes made in the visa arrangements for senior PA officials, granting them only temporary visitors’ rights. According to reports, these PA officials had applied for Jordanian citizenship, they were not offered it and Jordon couldn’t refuse the applications out of courtesy and generosity.

However, it is not clear at this point, why Jordon is planning to revoke the citizenships now. It could very well be a part of the U.S. strategy on Palestine as Jordon is a close U.S. ally.