ABSTRACT
The New York Times was accurate in suggesting that King Hussein was the only one who could salvage Palestinian rights—or land. For Hussein to be "heroic" meant something quite different; it meant risking the alienation of his Palestinian subjects. King Hussein was therefore not inclined to be rash, even if "heroism" might solve the problems of others. Hussein's central asset in handling the Palestinian challenge in Jordan was that he saw it as a struggle not between the Hashimites and the Palestinians but between the Hashimites and Palestinian nationalism. Perhaps the main factor aiding the regime in gaining legitimacy among the Palestinians was its effectiveness. Owing to Jordan's development and prosperity, many Palestinians acquired an admiration for the monarchy and a stake in the stability it provided. The Palestinians would be governed by Arabs rather than by Jews, and they would be guaranteed that Israel would acquire no land in the enclaves.
