![Jordanian King Abdullah II gestures as he delivers a speech at the European Parliament, on January 15, 2020, in Strasbourg, eastern France. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2021/02/GettyImages-1193883906.jpg/GettyImages-1193883906.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Qu1IsLsB)
Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist and political commentator based in Amman who specializes in Middle East issues. He can be reached at alsharif.osama@gmail.com. On Twitter: @plato010
![Jordanian King Abdullah II gestures as he delivers a speech at the European Parliament, on January 15, 2020, in Strasbourg, eastern France. (Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2021/02/GettyImages-1193883906.jpg/GettyImages-1193883906.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Qu1IsLsB)
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Osama Al Sharif
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Osama Al Sharif
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Osama Al Sharif
![A Palestinian woman takes a picture at the Dead Sea near the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank on August 2, 2020 during the Eid al-Adha holiday. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/12/GettyImages-1227882567.jpg/GettyImages-1227882567.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=X8mgIeUx)
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Osama Al Sharif
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Osama Al Sharif
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Osama Al Sharif
![Jordan's Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz gives a press conference in the southern port city of Aqaba on July 23, 2019, discussing projects in the area including an underwater military museum. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/10/GettyImages-1157415849.jpg/GettyImages-1157415849.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=7ta3HN6Q)
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Osama Al Sharif
![Demonstrators, mask-clad due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, attend a protest against the United Arab Emirates' and Bahrain's decisions to normalise relations with Israel, in Gaza City on September 15, 2020. - Palestinian leaders had earlier called for demonstrations against the "shameful" deals the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are set to sign with Israel. Officials from both Gulf states are due to attend a ceremony at the White House on September 15 to formalise ties with Israel, prompting Palest](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/09/gi-103.jpg/gi-103.jpg?h=125a58ae&itok=-KzhoOcV)
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Osama Al Sharif