The lost chance

Once again, the Jordanian Parliament fails to take the lead in the political debate with the government after it failed to speak in one voice to show a strong front against Israeli arrogance with regard to the killing of judge Raed Zeiter, who was shot dead by an Israeli soldier at the Allenby Bridge border crossing last week.
The act of terror by the occupation soldiers triggered furious reactions by Jordanians from all walks of life, particularly parliamentarians who threatened to take action against the government should the latter fails to stand up and defend the interests of its own citizens.
This past Tuesday, Parliament added some suspense to the political scene in the kingdom when it brought a no-confidence vote against the government. We were all naive to believe that the MPs could really take action and withdraw support to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour’s government, which will be celebrating its first year in office in few days.
Almost the majority of the votes went in favor of the government including the votes of MPs who were outspoken and vocal just few days before the voting day.
Once again, Parliament proved it would never triumph for the public's interests, and with last Tuesday’s vote, the MPs added another brick to the wall of disappointments they have built since they were brought under the dome last year.
The house members have wasted a golden opportunity that they might never have again at least not in the near future to build bridges of trust with the voters and I am doubtful that Jordanians would ever have faith again in their representatives due to their successive letdowns.
In fact their failure to unify ranks would for sure strengthen the government to continue not taking seriously any threat by the MPs to vote the government out.
Zeiter will not be the last victim of the Israeli occupation, but maybe this was the last chance for the MPs to come up to people’s expectations to see their representatives capable of supporting public demands in face of injustice.