Jordanian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj was released from jail after charges against him were downgraded from "undermining relations with a friendly country" to simple "slander and libel". Now the author of the image, mocking the recent peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, faces up to a maximum of two years in prison, instead of five, should he be found guilty. It is unclear when a trial will take place.
Emad Hajjaj has made a cartoon.
— amjad (@amjadiqbal738) August 30, 2020
After the UAE recognized Israel.
What found. Think
Yes lesson. pic.twitter.com/d4aRmAzADt
"The decision to release Hajjaj came after the state security court prosecutor decided to change the accusation against him to slander and libel, and his case has been sent back to the Amman state prosecutor", an anonymous judicial source explained the move to the AFP.
His release was preceded by a campaign waged by international and local human rights organisations who accused Jordanian authorities of muting freedom of speech in the country by arresting Hajjaj.
'Spit' Towards Israeli-UAE Deal?
The cartoonist ended up in jail on serious charges after publishing an image depicting UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed holding a dove with an Israel flag, who is spitting on his face, in an apparent reference to the two states recently signing a peace agreement. The jet-shaped spit mark on the royal family member's face is captioned "spit-35" in a reference to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that Tel Aviv opposes any weapon sales that would belittle Israel's strategic edge in the region, hence hinting on the possible blocking of UAE's request to purchase American F-35s. The fifth-generation fighter jet is currently operated in the region solely by Israel.
"This deal did not include Israel's acceptance of any arms deal", Netanyahu said, commenting on rumours that the sale of F-35 jets could have been a part of the deal between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
A Jordanian prosecutor called the cartoon "offensive" and endangering to the country's relations with a "friendly" state. While it is likely that the prosecutor referenced the UAE, Jordan is also among the three Arab countries that have normalised relations with Israel. The UAE only recently joined Jordan and Egypt on this short list, after a peace deal was brokered by US President Donald Trump between the two earlier in August. The two countries are planning to establish diplomatic ties, as well as relations in other spheres, such as water security, economy and culture. According to reports, however, Tel Aviv does not want Abu Dhabi to buy cutting edge weaponry from its ally, the US.
