In every ignited war, not only the fronts are theaters of battles, but the lines of fire also extend to the markets, where another type of “fighters” appears; they do not carry weapons, but they carry light consciences and hearts weighed down by greed. Such are the “War Merchants” who see crises as opportunities and people's pain as a season for profit.
When times get tough for people and paths to a livelihood are blocked, price hiking turns into a stab in the back of the community, no less harsh than the whistling of bullets. In times of adversity, monopolizing is not merely a legal violation, but a moral betrayal that affects human dignity and undermines the very essence of solidarity, which should be the first line of defense in crises.
The Jordanians, throughout their history, have never been merchants of misery but rather people of support and backing. In every hardship, hands were extended in generosity, not greed, and the markets were self-regulated by the conscience of its people before any state supervision. This is what must continue, and what we must reaffirm today: no to monopoly, no to exploiting needs, no to raising prices at the expense of people's suffering.
The responsibility today is shared; it starts with the trader who should be a partner in resilience, not a reason for breakdown, and passes through the citizen who must boycott anyone who trades in their pain, and does not end with the regulatory authorities on whom falls the task of enforcing the law with firmness and justice.
In times of war, nations are measured not only by the strength of their armies but also by the solidity of their internal front. A fair market is part of this front. Those who desire profit should seek it with dignity, and those who want to immortalize their names should stand with the people, not at their expense.
Because the undeniable truth is: a nation is protected not just with weapons… but also with conscience.
