J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement after Jordan’s new Justice Minister Hussein Mjali called for the release of Ahmad Dakamseh:

“J Street condemns Jordanian Justice Minister Hussein Mjali’s comments referring to Israel as ‘an enemy state and a terror state’ and calling for the release of Ahmad Dakamseh, a Jordanian soldier who murdered seven Israeli schoolchildren. We remember how, in the wake of that terrible tragedy, the late King Hussein demonstrated statesmanship and courage in visiting the families of the victims in Beit Shemesh. The late king’s actions served as a gesture of hope and reconciliation. Remarks like Mjali’s run counter to that legacy – and are particularly unhelpful at this moment of uncertainty when leadership and vision, not incitement, are needed. Jordan has a critical role to play in promoting a two-state solution and a broader regional agreement. We are pleased that the Jordanian government quickly made clear that Dakamseh will serve his life sentence.”