Latest News from Al Dustour
Al Dustour
11-05-2025
- Health
- Al Dustour
Gaza Faces Escalating Medical Shortages Amid Aid Blockade
Gaza The Ministry of Health in Gaza warned on Sunday of a rapidly worsening shortage in medical supplies, with critical sectors of the healthcare system on the brink of collapse. In a press statement, the ministry reported that 43 percent of essential medicines are completely out of stock an increase of 6 percent compared to the previous month. Additionally, 64 percent of medical consumables are no longer available. Healthcare facilities, including emergency departments, operating rooms, and intensive care units, are operating under severe constraints due to depleted inventories and a growing number of critical patients. The ministry highlighted that individuals suffering from kidney failure, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and other non-communicable diseases are disproportionately affected. The ministry reiterated its warning that continued restrictions on the entry of urgent medical supplies could soon bring healthcare services to a halt. (Petra)
Al Dustour
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Dustour
بيان صدار عن عشائر الطراونة في الأردن
عمان-الدستور أصدرت عشائر الطراونة في المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية بياناً أكدت فيه وقوفها المطلق خلف جلالة الملك عبدالله الثاني ابن الحسين - حفظه الله - برفض أي محاولات لتهجير الشعب الفلسطيني من أرضه، والتصدي لأي مشاريع تستهدف تصفية القضية الفلسطينية أو تقويض حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني الثابتة. وتالياً نص البيان : بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم انطلاقًا من ثوابتنا الوطنية والقومية، وإيمانًا منا بعدالة القضية الفلسطينية وحق الشعب الفلسطيني في أرضه، فإن عشائر الطراونة في المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية تؤكد وقوفها المطلق خلف جلالة الملك عبدالله الثاني ابن الحسين - حفظه الله - برفض أي محاولات لتهجير الشعب الفلسطيني من أرضه، والتصدي لأي مشاريع تستهدف تصفية القضية الفلسطينية أو تقويض حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني الثابتة. إننا نؤمن بأن دعم صمود الشعب الفلسطيني في وطنه هو واجب قومي وديني وأخلاقي، ولن نقبل بأي حل أو حلول تتجاوز حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني المشروعة أو تمس ثوابته الوطنية. ونؤكد أن الأردن، بقيادته الهاشمية الحكيمة، لن يكون وطنًا بديلًا، ولن يسمح بأن تُفرض عليه أجندات تخالف مصالحه العليا أو تمس بأمنه القومي. تُجدد عشائر الطراونة وعدها وعهدها بالدفاع عن الأردن وأرضه وسيادته ضد أي تهديد أو عدوان إسرائيلي، وتُحذر من أي محاولات للمساس بأمن واستقرار المملكة أو فرض أجندات تهدد كيانها الوطني وهويتها الأردنية الأصيلة. كما ونؤكد أن الأردن ليس مجرد دولة، بل وطنٌ محصن برجاله الأوفياء، الذين لم ولن يتوانوا عن الذود عنه والتضحية بكل غالٍ ونفيس لحمايته. وتجدد عشائر الطراونة مساندة القيادة الهاشمية، وتفخر بأنها جزءٌ أصيل من النسيج الوطني الأردني، حيث قدّمت العديد من الرجال الذين خدموا في القوات المسلحة الأردنية والأجهزة الأمنية، وقدمت عشرات الشهداء على أرض فلسطين في معارك الشرف التي خاضها أبناء الأردن دفاعاً عن فلسطين ودفاعاً عن القدس والمسجد الأقصى وباقي المقدسات، وأسهمت في بناء الدولة في مختلف المجالات، مما يعكس عمق ارتباطها بتاريخ الأردن وهويته. وفي الوقت ذاته، فإننا نُقدّر الشعب الأمريكي الحر الداعم لقيم العدالة والإنسانية وحقوق الشعوب في تقرير مصيرها، ونحثه على الاستمرار في دعم الحقوق المشروعة للشعب الفلسطيني، والوقوف في وجه السياسات الظالمة التي تؤجج الصراعات وتقوض الأمن والاستقرار في المنطقة. ختامًا، نؤكد أننا سنبقى على العهد، أوفياء لقيمنا الوطنية والقومية، ثابتين في مواقفنا، داعمين لجلالة الملك عبدالله الثاني في جهوده لحماية الأردن والدفاع عن حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني في أرضه، حتى ينال حريته وكرامته واستقلاله. عشائر الطراونة المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية Statement Issued by the Tarawneh Tribes in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Based on our national and Arab principles, and our unwavering belief in the just cause of Palestine and the right of the Palestinian people to their land, the Tarawneh Tribes in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan reaffirm their absolute support for His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein—may God protect him—in rejecting any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their homeland and opposing any schemes aimed at the denial of the Palestinian cause or undermining the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. We firmly believe that supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in their homeland is a national, religious, and moral duty, and we will not accept any solutions that override their legitimate rights or compromise their national principles. We also reaffirm that Jordan, under its wise Hashemite leadership, will never be an alternative homeland, nor will it allow any imposed agendas that contradict its supreme national interests or threaten its security and stability. The Tarawneh renew their commitment to defending Jordan, its land, and its sovereignty against any Israeli aggression or threats, and we warn against any attempts to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom or to impose policies that endanger its national identity and territorial integrity. We emphasize that Jordan is not just a state, but a fortified homeland protected by its loyal citizens, who will never hesitate to defend it and sacrifice everything to safeguard its sovereignty. The Tarawneh Community reaffirm its unwavering support for the Hashemite leadership and takes pride in being an integral part of the Jordanian national fabric. It has contributed numerous citizens who have served in the Jordanian Armed Forces and security institutions and has sacrificed dozens of martyrs on the land of Palestine in the honorable battles fought by Jordan in defense of Palestine, Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and other sacred sites. The Tarawneh Community has also played a significant role in nation-building across various fields, reflecting its deep-rooted connection to Jordan's history and identity. At the same time, we greatly appreciate the American people who uphold the values of justice, humanity, and the right of nations to self-determination. We encourage them to continue supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to stand against unjust policies that fuel conflicts and undermine security and stability in the region. In conclusion, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to our national and Arab values, standing firm in our positions and fully supporting His Majesty King Abdullah II in his efforts to protect Jordan and defend the rights of the Palestinian people to their land, until they achieve their freedom, dignity, and independence. Tarawneh Tribes The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Al Dustour
09-01-2025
- Business
- Al Dustour
Navigating Fiscal Hurdles: Harmonizing Jordan's Budget for 2025 with Economic Modernization Vision Goals
A Strategic Framework for Fiscal Responsibility Jordan's 2025 budget reflects a strategic alignment with the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV), emphasizing fiscal discipline alongside reforms to stimulate economic growth and employment. Moderate inflation and stable foreign reserves form a foundation of economic resilience, while enhanced tax collection efforts bolster domestic revenue generation. Despite significant challenges in sustaining revenue growth, the budget prioritizes essential investments in education and healthcare, aiming to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and societal needs. This comprehensive approach seeks to foster sustainable economic development and improve social welfare outcomes. Jordan's 2025 budget underscores the government's commitment to fiscal prudence as it seeks to advance the ambitious goals of the EMV. As both a roadmap for economic recovery and a framework for sustainable growth, the budget addresses entrenched fiscal challenges while aiming to strengthen public welfare systems. With a projected fiscal deficit of JD 2.278 billion, the persistent gap between revenues and expenditures highlights the urgency of structural reforms. The anticipated real GDP growth rate of 2.5%, as projected by the IMF, poses an additional challenge. This figure falls significantly short of the EMV's ambitious target of 5.6% annually, underscoring the need for decisive policy interventions. This divergence underscores the critical need for policy alignment to close structural gaps and achieve modernization objectives. Revenue Dynamics: Addressing Sustainability Gaps The government projects total revenues of JD 10.233 billion for 2025, comprising JD 9.498 billion from domestic sources and JD 734 million from foreign grants. Tax revenues account for JD 7.1 billion, or approximately 75% of domestic revenues. Indirect taxation, particularly the General Sales Tax (GST), continues to dominate, contributing nearly 68% of total tax revenues. While this reliance on indirect taxes generates significant revenue, its regressive nature disproportionately burdens lower-income households. Furthermore, it leaves the fiscal system vulnerable to economic fluctuations and structural shifts in consumption patterns. Non-tax revenues are expected to contribute JD 2.4 billion, or 25% of domestic revenues, through sources such as fees, dividends from state-owned enterprises, and royalties from natural resources. This modest share reflects a narrow revenue base, signaling the need for diversification. Enhanced monetization of natural resources, commercialization of state assets, and improved returns from sovereign wealth investments could supplement domestic revenues and bolster fiscal sustainability. Expenditure Trends: Navigating Competing Priorities The 2025 budget allocates JD 12.51 billion to total expenditures, marking a 16.5% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Current expenditures dominate, totaling JD 11.04 billion, or 88% of overall spending. This reflects the fiscal strain imposed by a large public sector, which employs over 218,000 civil servants. Compensation for public employees, including salaries and benefits, accounts for a significant portion of current expenditures, constraining the government's ability to channel funds toward developmental priorities. Public sector wages, totaling over JD 5 billion, represent a significant fiscal challenge, contributing to a projected primary deficit of 2% of GDP in 2025, down from 2.9% in 2024. This heavy reliance on foreign aid to cover budgetary gaps underscores the urgency of broadening the tax base, enhancing revenue collection, and rationalizing expenditure to ensure fiscal sustainability. 1. Debt Servicing Debt servicing is another major component of current expenditures, with JD 2.2 billion earmarked for interest payments in 2025. Rising debt obligations continue to constrain fiscal flexibility, underscoring the importance of reducing reliance on borrowing and implementing measures to stabilize public finances. 2. Capital Expenditures: Limited Room for Growth Capital expenditures are allocated JD 1.469 billion, accounting for 12% of total spending. This represents a 16.6% increase from the previous year, signaling a commitment to infrastructure development. Key projects include the National Water Carrier Initiative and the proposed railway linking Aqaba Port to mining sites in the Dead Sea region. However, the limited share of the budget allocated to capital investments highlights the government's struggle to balance infrastructure development with the financial demands of maintaining its sizable public sector. Policy Recommendations: Toward Fiscal Sustainability 1. Enhancing Revenue Streams Achieving fiscal sustainability necessitates a comprehensive approach to enhancing revenue generation. Central to this strategy is the implementation of tax reforms that broaden the tax base by incorporating underutilized sectors such as the digital economy and informal markets. These sectors represent significant untapped potential for revenue mobilization. The digital economy encompasses online platforms, e-commerce, digital services, and other technology-driven activities, many of which currently evade effective taxation due to regulatory gaps or exploitation of tax loopholes. Similarly, the informal economy, comprising unregistered businesses and unregulated economic activities, operates largely outside the formal tax system, limiting government revenue and distorting fair market competition. Reforms should also shift the fiscal burden toward equitable direct taxes, which are levied on income, profits, and wealth based on the taxpayer's ability to pay. This progressive approach ensures that higher-income individuals and larger corporations contribute a proportionally larger share, fostering fairness and social equity. To achieve these goals, investments in advanced digital tax systems and enhanced audit practices are essential. Such measures can improve compliance, curtail tax evasion, and ensure a more efficient revenue generation process, enabling governments to harness emerging economic activities while reinforcing fiscal resilience and equity. 2. Rationalizing Expenditures A comprehensive review of current expenditures is indispensable to achieving fiscal sustainability and optimizing resource allocation. Structural reforms must be implemented to effectively manage the size of the public sector. One such reform is the adoption of a 'two-for-one' hiring policy, wherein two retiring employees are replaced by a single new hire. This approach can gradually reduce the fiscal burden associated with public sector wages while maintaining service quality. In addition, freezing non-essential hiring represents a prudent step in controlling costs and ensuring that limited fiscal resources are deployed efficiently. However, a degree of flexibility is crucial, an exemption to the hiring freeze may be granted if the relevant minister provides a compelling justification for the recruitment of an essential employee. This ensures that critical public services remain unaffected while safeguarding fiscal discipline (i.e., finance, customs, health, tax, budget). Leveraging technology to enhance productivity and streamline operations offers further potential for cost savings without compromising the quality of public service delivery. Redirecting resources from recurrent expenditures toward high-impact capital investments is equally vital. Sectors such as education, healthcare, ITC and tourism should be prioritized, given their potential to drive economic diversification and foster sustainable, long-term growth. Furthermore, the expansion of public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help alleviate fiscal pressures by mobilizing private-sector funding and expertise. This collaborative approach can accelerate the development of essential infrastructure projects while reducing the strain on public finances, thereby advancing the government's broader economic modernization agenda. 3. Improving Debt Management To curb the growing debt burden, the government must implement a robust debt management strategy. This includes prioritizing concessional loans over commercial borrowing and leveraging domestic savings through innovative financial instruments. Debt restructuring and renegotiation, where feasible, can also provide immediate fiscal relief. Concessional loans, which are offered at lower interest rates and more favorable terms compared to commercial loans, could ease the debt burden while supporting critical development projects. 4. Promoting Transparency and Accountability Strengthening oversight mechanisms and fostering citizen engagement in the budgetary process are critical for enhancing transparency and accountability. A transparent fiscal framework builds public trust, ensuring broad-based support for reforms and minimizing resistance to necessary but potentially unpopular measures. Conclusion: Aligning Fiscal Policy with Economic Modernization Vision Goals Jordan's 2025 budget represents a pivotal opportunity to harmonize fiscal policy with the transformative goals of the EMV. While the projected fiscal deficit and modest growth forecast reveal deep-seated structural challenges, they also highlight the potential for bold and decisive reforms. By addressing the inefficiencies of an oversized public sector, reallocating resources toward impactful investments, and diversifying revenue streams, Jordan can build a resilient and inclusive economy. These reforms, underpinned by transparency and public confidence, will empower the government to fulfill its commitment to sustainable development and improved quality of life for all citizens. Successfully navigating these fiscal hurdles will not only stabilize the economy but also pave the way for a future of shared prosperity, ensuring the EMV's vision is realized for future generations. Wassel Al-Mashagbeh
Al Dustour
14-11-2024
- Business
- Al Dustour
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Al Dustour
30-10-2024
- Politics
- Al Dustour
Jordan Condemns Israeli Law Banning Diplomatic Missions in East Jerusalem
Amman The Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates condemned the Israeli Knesset's recent approval of a law that obstructs the establishment of diplomatic missions for the State of Palestine in occupied East Jerusalem. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that all Israeli actions aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly East Jerusalem, are deemed null and void, lacking any legal validity. Official spokesperson for the ministry, Sufian Qudah, underscored the need for Israel, as the occupying power, to cease all ongoing violations and breaches of the historical and legal status quo in occupied Jerusalem. He called for an end to the policy of imposing new facts on the ground amid Israel's continued aggression in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, along with escalating incursions and attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Qudah emphasized that Israeli attempts to annex occupied Jerusalem violate international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. He reiterated that the Israeli presence in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, constitutes illegal occupation that must be resolved, advocating for a two-state solution that establishes an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He renewed his appeal to the international community, particularly the Security Council, to adopt a clear and firm stance against these violations and to take action to halt them. (Petra)
