Israel's top diplomat declines to blame Jordan for lawmaker's alleged smuggling bid

By Abdel Ra'ouf D. A. R. Arnaout and Hacer Baser

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel’s foreign minister on Monday declined to blame Jordan for alleged efforts to smuggle weapons and gold into the West Bank.

Speaking to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Eli Cohen stressed that he doesn’t want to hold the Jordanian government or parliament responsible for the alleged attempt.

However, Cohen called the incident "very serious," saying Jordanian lawmaker Imad Adwan must be brought to the justice.

Cohen’s remarks on Israel’s detention of Adwan was the first official statement made by Israel.

In a statement, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan Majali said they are cooperating with other Jordanian authorities "to find out the details of the issue and address it."

The Israeli media, including the Times of Israel news website, quoted Jordanian media as saying that the arrest took place on Saturday evening at the Allenby Bridge border crossing (also known as the King Hussein Bridge) between Jordan and the West Bank.

Tensions between Israel and Jordan have been high in recent months due to Israeli escalation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem.