1. Historical introduction

This entry refers to modern-day Jordan, as established in 1921 by the British. Initially it was a princedom designated to Emir (‘prince’), later King, Abdullah. During that stage, between 1921 and 1946, it was known as Trans-Jordan. It was also called ‘the East Bank’, referring to the River Jordan. The second stage began after the annexation of the Palestinian territories, or ‘the West Bank’, that were left unoccupied…