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In June 1951, young Hussein
accompanied his grandfather, King
Abdulla, to prayers at the EI-Alksa mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. An assassin killed the King there, because of his efforts to reach peace with Israel. One of the bullets hit Hussein, but was deflected by a medal.
In 1953, Hussein, just 17 years old, was proclaimed King of Jordon. During his reign, the longest in the Middle East, he succeeded in maintaining his rule and the independence of his country against various challenges. In spite of the hostility which existed on the surface between his country and Israel, secret contacts were maintained by him continously with the leaders of Israel, and the two states even helped each other several times when common interests called for such steps.
The first public meeting between the King
and Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin,
took place in 1994, at the White House, and subesequenyly the two states signed a Peace Treaty in the Arava, which opened a new era in their relations.
Later, tragically, the King came to Jerusalem for the first time since the Six Day War to participate in the funeral of Rabin, whom he eulogized in stirring terms.
Hussein's personality which radiated royal
dignity and human warmth made him
one of the admired leaders of the world. He won the affection of the people of Israel through his personal policy of "warm" peace, one manifestation of which, was his visit to-comfort the families of the young victims murdered at the incident near Gesher.
Courtesy of Israel Government Coins & Medals Corp. Ltd.
