Israel protests to Jordan over flag trampling

By Osama al-Ghassani

JERUSALEM

Israel has formally protested to Jordan after a government spokesperson stepped on an Israeli flag during a visit to a trade union in Amman.

Jumana Ghunaimat was seen stepping on a drawing of the Israeli flag as she entered the building of the Jordanian trade union on Thursday to attend a meeting there.

The Israeli flag was drawn on the floor at the building’s entrance along with shoe marks as a protest against Israel by the trade union – which opposes normalization of ties with Tel Aviv.

Israeli media said Israeli authorities summoned Jordanian ambassador Ghassan al-Megali on Sunday to protest the spokesperson’s behavior.

Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz reportedly attended the meeting, but stepped into the building through a side entrance.

Thursday’s meeting was held to discuss ways of easing tension between the government and trade unions over a controversial tax law introduced by the cabinet.

There was no comment from Jordanian authorities on the Israeli protest.

Jordan and Israel have signed a peace treaty in 1994.