Israel's defence minister and Jordan's King Abdullah discuss security ties

The pair also discussed Palestinian issues

Jordan's King Abdullah II meets with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, in Amman, Jordan. Jordanian Royal Palace/Handout via Reuters

Israel’s defence minister met Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday as part of a reset of ties between the two countries.

The two discussed “security and policy topics,” Benny Gantz’s office said, adding that Mr Gantz “welcomed the expansion of relations between Jordan and the current Israeli government.”

A statement from King Abdullah said the two spoke about “the need to maintain calm in the Palestinian Territories,” and the measures necessary to lay the foundation for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The two met in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

The meeting is part of revamped ties between Israel and Jordan, which became strained under the leadership of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Jordan made peace in 1994 and maintain close security ties, but relations soured in recent years over tensions at a flashpoint Jerusalem mosque, Israel’s expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and the lack of any progress in the long-moribund peace process. The countries also fell out over a shooting incident by a guard at Israel’s embassy in Amman.

Both Jordan and the Palestinians were adamantly opposed to the Trump administration’s Middle East plan, which would have allowed Israel to annex up to a third of the West Bank. Israel captured east Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 war, territories the Palestinians want as part of their future state.