Egypt, Morocco and Jordan have agreed to take part in the U.S.-sponsored "Peace to Prosperity Workshop" in Bahrain later this month, a White House official said on Tuesday.
The workshop, to be held June 25-26, is the official launch of the economic component of the Trump administration's "deal of the century" peace plan. It is likely to focus on means to boost the economic wellbeing of Palestinians and Israelis through regional projects funded by Arab states and the U.S.
The Palestinians have so far said they would not take part in the conference, in keeping with the months-long boycott of the administration over its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Israel has yet to have been officially invited, but now that Egypt and Jordan have agreed to participate, it is likely to get an invitation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jordan's King Abdullah II said that the kingdom must take part in international conferences and initiatives related to the Palestinian issue, including the Bahrain summit.
Abdullah made the comments during a meeting with former government ministers, journalists, and heads of professional associations were present at the meeting.
According to reports in various Jordanian media outlets, Abdullah also said that there was less pressure on Jordan to accept the Trump administration's "deal of the century" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as no major progress was expected in the next few months.
On Monday, Israel Hayom reported that Jordanians were furious with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over his continued refusal to accept international aid for the West Bank.
Amman officials have accused Abbas of mishandling the economic crisis plaguing the PA, which is insolvency – a scenario that could potentially threaten the security and stability of the Hashemite Kingdom.
A senior Jordanian source told Israel Hayom that Abbas has again rejected a proposed plan to resolve the economic crisis in the PA, and has even barred Palestinian officials from meeting Israeli officials seeking to help Ramallah resolve the crisis.
Abbas has refused to accept the funds in the wake of Israeli legislation deducting terrorists' salaries from these taxes. As a result of Abbas' refusal to accept the funds, Ramallah has had to cut public sector employees' wages by 50%. PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has warned that the PA would soon have no choice but to bite into the wages paid to its security forces.
The latter is of particular concern for Jordan, as Amman is worried that any violent riots that erupt in the wake of economic chaos in the West Bank would not be directed solely at Israel and could spill over into the kingdom's territory.
