Latest news with #JordanValley
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov't approves establishment of 22 new West Bank settlements
The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border. The government has approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, as part of a joint initiative by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the ministries announced in a joint statement on Thursday. The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border. According to the Defense Ministry, the move follows the repeal of the Disengagement Law in specific areas, enabling renewed activity in Homesh and Sa-Nur. The plan is intended to expand settlement infrastructure and strengthen Israel's strategic position across the region. The plan includes the return of residential activity to previously evacuated areas and the creation of four new settlements along the eastern border near Jordan. These developments are intended to reinforce Israeli control along a key territorial corridor and are aligned with broader government planning to support population growth and land use in designated zones, the Defense Ministry said. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the decision supports Israel's regional positioning and settlement framework: 'The decision to establish 22 new settlements in theWest Bank strengthens our presence in the area and affirms our commitment to ensuring security for the population centers of Israel,' Katz said. 'It is a step toward reinforcing our eastern axis and addressing ongoing security challenges.' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the move represents a shift in government policy toward expanded development: 'With the backing of the cabinet, we are advancing a plan that focuses on construction and long-term development,' he said. 'Our goal is to ensure continued presence and infrastructure growth in key areas.' Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Orit Strock commented on the decision on a post on X/Twitter, saying, "We made a promise, and we kept it. New settlements are being established in Judea and Samaria, closing a gap of decades in the settlement of the land and providing a Zionist response to vast spaces that have been neglected and abandoned." "Through our actions, we express our right to the land and our duty towards it. We continue to correct the sin of disengagement."
Times of Oman
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Omani trio Al Rawahi, Al Amri and Al Zubair set for the new challenge in Jordan International rally
Muscat: The Omani rally drivers Abdullah Al Rawahi, Zakaria Al Amri and Abdullah Al Zubair, are all set and prepared to take part in upcoming challenge in Jordan International Rally, the fourth round of the Middle East Rally Championship, which will gear up on Friday and Saturday with wide participation from different countries and competitors, including championship's leader, Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah, and the Saudi Rakan Al Rashid who is second overall and the third in the championship Abdullah AlRawahi. The Dead Sea stages and Jordan valley host the rally this year as usual, which consists of 12 stages over two days in Baptism , Panorama, Suwyma, Karamah, Tal Hilal, and Wadi Nar, covering a distance of approximately 200 kilometers as Special Stages. The Jordan International Rally, which is considered one of the toughest rallies in the region and also one of the most enjoyable at the same time, will of course witness strong competition between the most prominent names, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Rakan Al-Rashed, the Omani Abdullah Al-Rawahi, and the Qatari Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, in addition to a group of Jordanian drivers. In Merc 2 group the competition will be strong between Omanis Abdullah Al Zubair and Zakaria Al Amri for the lead in the Merc 2 (N category), as Al Amri still leads the category by 15 points over Al Zubair. A quick review of this rally shows that competition will not be easy between Al-Attiyah and Al-Rawahi, as both have long experience in the Jordan International Rally, Al-Attiyah is the most successful driver there, meanwhile Al-Rawahi is building his ambitions to win the rally, given that he started his rally carrier in Jordan rallies and has won numerous titles there, both in the Jordan National Rallies and the International Rallies including the MERC championship in 2023. Al-Rawahi, who will be accompanied by Jordanian Atta Al-Hamoud in the navigation seat, and on board a Skoda Fabia, explained that he will do his best in terms of effort and work inside the car to win this time and remove the bad luck that has plagued him in the past three rallies this year, despite many differences in the participating teams in terms of capabilities, technical teams and support. He said,"First, I would like to thank the supporters and sponsors , the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Automobile Association, OQ Group, National Finance, Al Manar ,wms ,strike , size and Zamakan for standing behind us in this championship'. He added that as everyone knows, the Jordan Rally is difficult especially in the Dead Sea and Jordan valley, in the hot weather and varied terrain, the other competitors' cars are better and newer than mine, but will not stop me from working on the stages and focusing on the race, and we will leave the results until the end. As for the competitor Zakaria Al Amri and his navigator Mohammed Al Mazrui, on board a Subaru Impreza (N14), he has classified the rally as one of the most rugged rallies in some places, but we are now focused on maintaining the lead in the category and we are working on that in this rally. "I am ready with my colleague Mohammed and we look forward to continuing the lead in the category and presenting a strong race. "I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Automobile Association and Al Fayhaa Real Estate Development for their support of this championship. Our other competitor, Abdullah Al Zubair, and his well-known co-driver, Taha Soomar, are also participating in the rally in a Subaru Impreza." He is currently in second place in the Merc 2 category behind Zakaria Al Amri, and is aiming to reach the podium after his strong and distinguished performance in the Saudi Rally.
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Scholar highlights Ayyubid legacy, challenges of distinguishing it from Mamluk period
The Ayyubid castle of Ajloun, located in the northwestern part of Jordan, overlooking the Jordan Valley (Photo courtesy of ACOR) AMMAN — For Professor Bethany Walker from Bonn University, it is a true challenge to differentiate some pottery objects whether they belong to Ayyubid (1171-1260) or Mamluk (1250-1517) period. Walker wants to separate two periods that are often called Ayyubit-Mamluk and belong to Middle Islamic era. "Ayyubid period was much shorter than Mamluk period," Walker said during the lecture " Jordan in the Ayyubid Age" held at the Department of Antiquities of Jordan on Wednesday, adding that if one excavates on the Mamluk site they will not find many remains older than the Mamluk period. Mamluk's powerful visual presence in Jordan also underlines Ayyubid Sultanate contribution, Walker continued, adding that Mamluks re-used Ayyubid buildings. "Vernacular buildings didn't change much from 12th until early 20th century in Jordan," Walker said, noting that to differentiate between these two periods became a challenge. The Ayyubids laid foundation for administrative buildings, fortresses and castles, as well as way stations for pilgrims and store houses for agricultural produce. They invested in network of roads and castles, reviving the world economy. One of the achievements of the Ayyubids was the beginning of the sugar industry in Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea area, where the sugar technology was brought from the Indian Subcontinent (sugar canes). "The major achievement of the Ayyubids in Jordan was economic," Walker stressed, adding that agricultural sector flourished during their reign. Rural area was economically stimulated to produce certain types of crops during that period. "The most active of the Ayyubid rulers was AlMu'azzam (1218-1227) who ruled from Damascus," Walker said, noting that in the early decades of the 13th century Karak became a scientific and educational centre. However, there are no architectural traces of these activities as no remains of madrasas and hospitals survived to our days. Al Mu'azzam built villages and the state stimulated different types of migrations to urban and rural centres. Nasser Dawoud in 1244/1245 renovate the Karak Castle, adding that palatine halls at Karak and Shobal castles represent the Ayyubid architecture. Regarding the Ayyubid bathhouse, Walker said:" It's relatively small, with three to four rooms." The Mamluks would tear down old, decrepit buildings and reuse the material for new structures, and that is one of the reasons why it is often difficult to distinguish which building belonged to the Ayyubid and which to the Mamluk period. "In some textual documentation there is evidence of these demolitions, like in chronicles, where villages around the Shobak Castle are mentioned. Here we have accounts what still functions and what is in ruins," Walker said, adding that ruins had a commercial value as a building material.
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
New lending model offers lifeline to Jordan Valley's small-scale farmers
By Maria Weldali - May 22,2025 - Last updated at May 22,2025 AMMAN — Grappling with mounting economic pressures and consecutive seasons of financial loss, small-scale farmers in the Jordan Valley are struggling to sustain their agricultural livelihoods. Amid these challenges, a new cooperative lending model is offering renewed hope for revitalising the sector, according to stakeholders. The initiative was launched under a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and partner institutions as part of the Netherlands' second Agricultural Support Project in Jordan. The system was designed to provide low-interest loans to smallholder farmers, enabling them to invest in farm development and adopt sustainable agricultural technologies, according to a ministry statement. Speaking to The Jordan Times, President of the Jordan Valley Farmers Union Adnan Khaddam described the initiative as 'a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security in the country'. Khaddam stressed that the introduction of a cooperative lending system offers more than just financial relief; it instils a renewed sense of hope among farmers. He emphasised that developing a credit framework tailored to smallholder farmers is key to transforming the country's agricultural landscape by increasing access to financing and encouraging investment in modern, sustainable practices. Farmer Nawash Yazjeen noted that 'by leveraging the collective strength of agricultural cooperatives, the system creates a revolving fund that can be reinvested into members' farming activities'. He added that this approach could help break the cycle of financial exclusion that has long constrained small-scale farmers. Yazjeen also underscored the importance of ensuring the lending model is aligned with the sector's actual needs, cautioning that the initiative's success hinges on its ability to address on-the-ground realities. Stakeholders across the sector view the Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative (SACO) model as a critical tool for enhancing the resilience and economic independence of small farmers. As Jordan Valley farmers continue to navigate growing economic and environmental challenges, SACO presents a structured, community-driven pathway, one that may help them not only survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive agricultural environment.
Jordan Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Jordan Times
Jordan Rally to host 22 cars for Middle East championship's 4th round
Crews will tackle a dozen special stages and 196.30 competitive kilometres in the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley areas (Photo courtesy of Jordan Motorsport) AMMAN — Jordan Motorsport on Monday announced that 22 cars grace the official entry list for the upcoming Jordan Rally, which will be the fourth round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) taking place between May 29 and 31. Crews will tackle a dozen special stages and 196.30 competitive kilometres in the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley areas. The event will also count towards the new Junior and Master Championships for Drivers, according to a Jordan Motorsport statement. Nasser Attiyah and Candido Carrera head the field after winning the opening three rounds of the season in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. They will be aiming to defend a 31-point lead over Rakan Rashed and Hugo Magalhães in their respective MERC Drivers' and Co-drivers' Championships. The record 16-time winner of the event lays trust in his Autotek Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. A total of eight Rally2 machines grace the entry list: defending regional champion Abdulaziz Kuwari, the 2023 MERC champion Abdullah Rawahi, Qatari Attiyah, Bassal Abu Hamdan and the Jordanian duo of Sheikh Bader Fayez and Ihab Shorafa complete the list. Both local drivers have entered Škoda Fabias. Oman's Zakariya Aamri and Abdullah Zubair are currently locked in their own battle for supremacy in the FIA MERC2 category in a pair of Subarus and they head a list of seven crews aiming for showroom class honours. Local knowledge may favour the defending regional champion Shaker Jweihan, while Kuwait's Jassim Muqahwi and Salem Dhafeeri, Lebanon's Shadi Fakih and Palestine's Hamada Uda round off the MERC2 field. All five challengers to the front-running Omani duo wheel out Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Xs. Qatari Rashid Mohannadi has a commanding lead in the two-wheel drive FIA MERC4 category after three rounds. He faces competition from young Qatar Academy drivers, Mohammed Marri and Saad Harqan, and Indian driver Payyakkal Panikkaveettil (Ford Fiesta). All three Qataris drive French-built Peugeot 208s. The local duo of Shadi Shaban and Mohammed Shorafa and Lebanon's Joanna Hasoun round off the entry in a trio of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IXs. All but two of the 22 entrants are registered for the MERC.
