US-Based Jordanian Peace Activist Visits Israel, Faces Threats and Abuse from Fellow Muslims

Image: Jihad Watch

Israel takes immense pride not only in safeguarding its own citizens but also in extending compassion and humanitarian concern toward others beyond its borders. Reflecting this spirit, the country recently hosted a groundbreaking event — the first-ever “Future of Minorities in the Middle East” conference. The conference was organized under the leadership of Dr. Edy Cohen, a respected Israeli academic and prominent social media influencer known for his outspoken advocacy of peace and minority rights.

The historic event sought to bring global attention to the plight of persecuted minorities across the Middle East — particularly the Druze, Kurdish, and Alawite communities in Syria — who have long suffered discrimination and violence amid ongoing regional instability. The gathering transcended religious and political divisions, focusing purely on human rights and humanitarian solidarity. It stood as a symbol of Israel’s moral stance in a region too often dominated by extremist ideologies, sectarian intolerance, and terror-driven hatred.

Among the notable participants was Mr. Abdelelah Almaala, a Jordanian-born Muslim activist now living in the United States, where he also holds U.S. citizenship. Almaala, an outspoken critic of Jordan’s King Abdullah II and the country’s monarchy, attended the conference as a vocal supporter of peace, equality, and coexistence. In his speech, he praised Israel’s respect for minority rights and called for regional unity built on mutual understanding rather than hostility. His advocacy did not end there — following the conference, Almaala visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall, where he delivered another pro-Israel and pro-Jewish message, emphasizing the shared humanity that should unite all peoples of the Middle East.

However, his bold stance quickly drew outrage from pro-regime figures in Jordan, triggering a wave of condemnation. Sheikh Dhaifallah al-Qallab, the government-appointed tribal leader of the Bani Hasan tribe — Almaala’s own tribe — publicly denounced and disowned him on Jordanian state media. In Jordan, tribal leadership is not earned by consensus but granted by royal decree, ensuring loyalty to the monarchy. Such leaders are handpicked by the king to serve as intermediaries who preserve and protect the regime’s political interests within their respective communities. Al-Qallab’s loyalty is well-known; he has previously hosted both King Abdullah and the Crown Prince at his residence, where he famously described himself as “a soldier in the king’s army.”

The backlash against Almaala did not remain confined to Jordan. He became a target of online abuse and death threats from Muslim extremists — including some living in the United States — who pledged allegiance to the Jordanian monarchy. Their threats underscored the dangerous influence of authoritarian regimes that seek to silence dissent and suppress dialogue with Israel, even beyond their borders.

This incident reveals a broader and troubling reality: Arab regimes, particularly Jordan’s, wish to confine peace with Israel to a purely governmental framework, keeping their citizens ideologically isolated from normalization. Such regimes promote the illusion of diplomacy while undermining grassroots peace efforts, ensuring that the spirit of reconciliation never takes root among ordinary people. Consequently, extremism and jihadist sentiment continue to thrive, as any Arab voice advocating genuine peace or partnership with Israel risks public vilification, threats, or persecution.

The question now arises — will the U.S. government take a principled stand on this issue? Will the State Department bar entry to figures like Sheikh Dhaifallah al-Qallab, who actively incite hostility against peace advocates? Will the FBI investigate those within the United States who have issued violent threats against Abdelelah Almaala for his defense of Jewish people and support for peace with Israel?

These are pressing questions that demand accountability. For now, one can only hope that Western democracies will recognize the courage of voices like Almaala’s — individuals who risk everything to challenge hatred and advocate for a future built on truth, coexistence, and human dignity.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)