By Jacob Magid - October 20, 2022
WASHINGTON — As Negev Forum countries prepare for their next gatherings in the coming months, an effort to bring Jordan into the fold has intensified, US and Mideast diplomats told The Times of Israel.
Jordan has been noticeably absent so far at Negev Forum gatherings, which have brought together representatives from the US, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt. Amman was not at the table when foreign ministers met in southern Israel for the inaugural gathering of the forum in March, and it did not send a diplomat to a steering committee meeting in Manama in June.
While the dates have not been finalized, the UAE is readying to host the Negev Forum working groups — six panels tasked with advancing regional projects in the areas of regional security, food and water security, energy, health, education and tourism — in November while Morocco is preparing to host the second annual ministerial gathering in January, according to four US and Middle East diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Read More: Times of Israel