Click to see full-size image. Source: the Israeli Police, via Twitter.
On May 7, Israel released a Jordanian parliamentarian who was accused of smuggling hundreds of firearms to Palestinians in the West Bank.
MP Imad Adwan was detained by Israeli authorities at the Allenby Bridge border crossing while on his way to the West Bank on April 22. Back then, 194 handguns and 12 assault rifles were seized from the parliamentarian’s car.
The Israeli security agency, Shin Bet, said in a statement that Adwan was handed over to Jordanian authorities for “further investigation and prosecution.”
Meanwhile, Jordanian speaker of parliament, Ahmad al-Safadi, announced that Adwan’s parliamentary immunity has been revoked as the State Security Court prosecutor requested, meaning he could face prosecution. A number of Jordanian officials connected to the case have already been arrested.
Adwan is a member of the Jordanian parliament’s Palestine Committee, which monitors Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. He represents a district bordering Israel.
The arrest of Adwan came amid a surge of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, caused mainly by repeated Israeli raids and security operations.
Israel accused Adwan of smuggling various types of contraband, including birds, electronic cigarettes, and gold, into the West Bank 12 times starting in February 2022. An investigation by the Shin Bet alleged that the parliamentarian smuggled firearms into Israel several times this year before being caught.
The Israeli decision to hand over Adwan, despite the absence of an extradition agreement with Jordan, was likely taken to avoid a political crisis. Tensions between Tel Aviv and Amman have been on the rise as a result of the crackdown on Palestinians in Jerusalem city.
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