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Zaid Rifai

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His Excellency
Zaid al-Rifai
زيد الرفاعي
President of the Senate
In office
8 June 1997 – 17 December 2009
MonarchAbdullah II
Preceded byAhmad al-Lawzi
Succeeded byTaher Nashat al-Masri
Prime Minister of Jordan
In office
4 April 1984 – 27 April 1989
MonarchHussein
Preceded byAhmad Obeidat
Succeeded byZaid ibn Shaker
In office
26 May 1973 – 13 July 1976
MonarchHussein
Preceded byAhmad al-Lawzi
Succeeded byMudar Badran
Personal details
Born
Zaid Sameer al-Rifai

(1936-11-27)27 November 1936
Amman, Transjordan, British Empire
Died12 August 2024(2024-08-12) (aged 87)
Amman, Jordan
ChildrenSamir Rifai (son)
Alma materHarvard University
ProfessionPolitician

Zaid al-Rifai (Arabic: زيد الرفاعي; 27 November 1936 – 12 August 2024) was a Jordanian politician who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Jordan, holding office from May 1973 to July 1976 and again from April 1984 to April 1989. His second tenure remains the longest uninterrupted government in Jordan’s history. In addition to his role as prime minister, al-Rifai served as the president of the Senate of Jordan from 1997 to 2009.

Early Life and Education

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Zaid al-Rifai was born on 27 November 1936 into a prominent Jordanian political family.[1][failed verification] His father, Sameer al-Rifai, and his uncle, Abdelmunim al-Rifai, both served as prime ministers of Jordan. His father-in-law, Bahjat Talhouni, and his son, Samir Rifai, also held the same position.

He attended Victoria College,[2] before attaining a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a master's in law and international relations from Columbia University.[1]

Career

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Assassination Attempt (1971)

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Before serving as prime minister, al-Rifai survived an assassination attempt on 15 December 1971 while he was Jordan's ambassador to the United Kingdom. The attack was carried out by members of Fatah in response to the Black September conflict, during which Jordan expelled Palestinian militant groups following clashes between the Jordanian military and the PLO.[3][4]

First Premiership (1973–1976)

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Al-Rifai was appointed Prime Minister of Jordan in May 1973. During his first tenure, Jordan navigated significant regional developments, including the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and its aftermath. He was in office when the Arab League recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974.[5]

Second Premiership (1984–1989)

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Al-Rifai returned to the position of prime minister in April 1984, leading Jordan's longest-serving government until April 1989. During this time, Jordan maintained its policy of granting Jordanian citizenship to Palestinians in the West Bank, a policy that continued until 31 July 1988, when Jordan officially renounced its claims to the West Bank and severed administrative ties.[6][5]

His tenure also saw economic and political challenges, including growing demands for political reform and the rising influence of opposition movements. In April 1989, shortly after his resignation, widespread protests over economic conditions erupted, leading to the eventual democratization efforts under King Hussein.[7][8][9]

Senate Presidency (1997-2009)

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Following his premiership, al-Rifai was appointed President of the Senate of Jordan in June 1997, a position he held until 2009.[10] He resigned from the position and politics on December 17 2009.[11][dead link‍]

Death

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Zaid al-Rifai passed away on 12 August 2024 at the age of 87.[1][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Obituary: PM mourns former prime minister Zaid Rifai". Jordan News Agency. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  2. ^ "PROFILE - Former Prime Minister Rifai passes away aged 87". Roya News. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  3. ^ Jabber, Fuad (1973). "The Arab Regimes and the Palestinian Revolution, 1967-71". Journal of Palestine Studies. 2 (2): 79–101. doi:10.2307/2535482. ISSN 0377-919X.
  4. ^ Times, Bernard Weinraub Special to The New York (16 December 1971). "JORDANIAN ENVOY IS SHOT IN LONDON". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b Husain, Amin M. (1 January 2003). "Who is the Legitimate Representative of the Palestinian People?". Chinese Journal of International Law. 2 (1): 207–225. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.cjilaw.a000468. ISSN 1540-1650.
  6. ^ "Jordan - West Bank, Peace, Arab-Israeli Conflict | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  7. ^ Robinson, Glenn E. (1998). "Defensive Democratization in Jordan". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 30 (3): 387–410. ISSN 0020-7438.
  8. ^ Ross, Michael (25 April 1989). "Jordan Prime Minister Quits After Riots". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  9. ^ Andoni, Lamis (22 April 1989). "JORDAN'S RIOTS SPREAD". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Previous Councils". The Jordanian Senate. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Senate President tenders resignation to King". Petra News Agency. 12 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  12. ^ "King, Crown Prince participate in funeral of former PM Zaid Rifai". Jordan Times. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
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Wikisource has original works by or about:
Zaid al-Rifai
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Jordan
1973–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Jordan
1984–1989 		Succeeded by


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