Jordan appoints new ambassador to Israel, filling post left vacant for 2 years

AMMAN, Jordan – Jordan's King Abdullah II has appointed a new ambassador to Israel, filling a post vacant for two years despite diplomatic relations between the two countries since 1994.

The government says the king swore in Walid Obeidat during a brief ceremony late on Monday. Obeidat is a seasoned foreign ministry diplomat who hails from a prominent tribe from northern Jordan.

He replaces Ali Ayed, who left his post in Tel Aviv in mid-2010 to become information minister.

Last week, Obeidat's tribe threatened to disavow him, saying he should reject the post because of what it sees as Israel's intransigence in peacemaking with the Palestinians.

There was no immediate reaction from the tribe on Tuesday.

Jordan is one of two Arab countries to have a signed peace treaty with Israel.