1. Israeli cabinet minister for security, Yoav Galant at lectern
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoav Galant, Israeli Cabinet Minister Security :
"Israel and Jordan have a long relationship of peace in the recent years and understanding in previous years, even before the establishment of the State of Israel. And we wish the Kingdom and the King (Jordan's King Abdullah II) stability and wealth and success in any future situation."
"We are sharing a border of 400 kilometres, the longest one we have, with Jordan. This is a quiet border for many, many years, almost 50 years. So I believe that it is in our interest that stability will go back to Jordan as soon as possible. I'm sure that the King will demonstrate his political understanding, and his way of thinking will overcome this obstacle and we will do whatever is possible to help him in this event. I would like to mention that the most stable countries in our region are those two countries that have peace agreements with Israel - Jordan and Egypt. All the rest are under some kind of a storm."
An Israeli Cabinet Minister on Monday expressed the hope that the situation in Jordan would remain stable after the country's embattled prime minister resigned amid mounting anti-government protests over a planned tax increase and recent price hikes of fuel and other basic goods.
Yoav Gallant told reporters in Jerusalem that Israel, which shares its longest border with Jordan, would do "whatever is possible" to help Jordan's King Abdullah II following Prime Minister Hani Mulki's resignation.
Mulki submitted his resignation to King Abdullah earlier on Monday, in the wake of the largest anti-government protests since 2011.
Thousands have taken to the streets in recent days to protest against the planned tax increase and price increases.
"The most stable countries in our region are those two countries that have peace agreements with Israel - Jordan and Egypt. All the rest are under some kind of a storm," Galant said.
Mulki served for two years as the head of an unpopular government tasked with implementing economic reforms sought by the International Monetary Fund.
