Jordan summons Israeli ambassador over two arrests

Jordan's foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned the Israeli ambassador in protest at Israel's detention of two Jordanians arrested after allegedly crossing into the country with knives.

The ministry said it wanted to "convey a strongly worded protest message pertaining to the detention of two Jordanians in Israel", and to demand their release.

On May 16, Israel announced the arrest of two Jordanians for allegedly crossing the border from the kingdom on their way to Jerusalem, and carrying knives.

The ministry "stressed the need to allow the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv to visit the two nationals as soon as possible, to assess their situation and to provide the necessary support for them in accordance with relevant international laws," it added.

Around half of Jordan's 10 million-strong population is of Palestinian origin, including some 2.2 million refugees registered with the United Nations.

Throughout the 11-day Israeli bombardment of Gaza this month, demonstrations were held almost daily in Jordan in solidarity with the Palestinians, including demands for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who landed in Israel on Tuesday, is due to visit Egypt and Jordan, which both have peace treaties with the Jewish state, as part of a Middle East tour.