AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Wednesday reaffirmed Jordan’s clear and unwavering position towards the
Palestinian cause and the aggression on Gaza, stressing that Jordan will not go
back on its position and will continue to support the Palestinians, according to a Royal Court statement.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with religious
leaders from Jerusalem and Jordan at Al Husseiniya Palace, His Majesty
reiterated the need to stand united in defending Islamic and Christian holy
sites in Jerusalem.
At the meeting—attended by Their
Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin
Muhammad, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and
personal envoy—the King said Jordan will carry on with its historic role in
safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
His Majesty called for stepping up
cooperation and coordination with the Palestinians to identify the challenges
they face on the ground and support them to persevere.
Turning to Gaza, the King said any
truce must lead to a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table to find a
solution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, which is
supported by international consensus.
The King expressed Jordan’s
rejection and condemnation of the targeting of places of warship, including
mosques and churches in Gaza, noting that many have sought refuge in these
places and are in need of aid, which Jordan is seeking to deliver in any way
possible.
His Majesty highlighted Jordan’s
efforts to maintain the provision of relief and humanitarian aid through field
hospitals, especially in Gaza, which receive vital supplies, in parallel to
pushing for the opening of crossing points for the sustainable and sufficient
delivery of aid.
The King warned of the
repercussions of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the
Israeli aggression, as well as in Jerusalem and the West Bank as a result of
continuous aggression against Palestinians there.
Additionally, His Majesty warned of
impediments that may prevent Christians from attending Christmas Mass in
Bethlehem, stressing that Jordan will work with the international community to
ensure access for worshippers.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke about Jordan’s efforts to support the
Palestinians, adding that Jordan’s priorities have always been clear throughout
history, with a firm position in support of the Palestinians in gaining their
rights as the only way to reach peace.
Safadi highlighted Jordan’s
efforts, under the King’s leadership, from the start of the war, to expose its
futility and catastrophic results not only on the Palestinians, but on the
entire region.
He added that the international
position towards what is happening in Gaza has started to change, which is key
to reaching the goal of stopping the war.
Safadi stressed that the
humanitarian situation is a priority for Jordan, including the delivery of aid
to Gaza and the West Bank, which is also witnessing dangerous escalations.
The minister said Jordan, in
coordination with the Palestinian Authority, has presented a case to the
International Court of Justice on violations in the West Bank and in Jerusalem,
as well as attempts to violate the historical and legal status quo in Islamic
and Christian holy sites, and attempts to displace Palestinian Jerusalemites
and demolish their homes.
Safadi said His Majesty has warned
of any post-war security approach that continues what the West Bank has been
witnessing, stressing that any approach on Gaza has to be part of a
comprehensive approach, whereby the Strip and the West Bank are dealt with as
one.
Jerusalem Awqaf Council
President Abdul Azim Salhab expressed appreciation for His Majesty’s ongoing
efforts to support the Palestinian people, stressing Jerusalemites are
committed to supporting the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian
holy sites in Jerusalem, which is key to safeguarding the historical status quo
in the holy city.
Greek Orthodox
Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III commended the Hashemite Custodianship’s
role in preserving the historical and legal status quo, noting the progress
achieved in the second phase of restoration in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
under the Hashemite restoration project.
Warning that no
military solution can bring peace in the Middle East, Patriarch Theophilos III
said the heads of churches in the Holy Land call for an immediate ceasefire in
Gaza to relieve the humanitarian crisis.
He stressed the need to
end the cycle of violence and build on shared values and aspirations to reach a
future where the Palestinian people can live with the dignity of every human
person, commending Jordan’s role in delivering urgent aid to Gaza and establishing
field hospitals in the Strip and in the West Bank.
Latin Patriarch of
Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa commended Jordan’s diplomatic role
in seeking an end to the war in Gaza, expressing thanks to the Jordan Armed
Forces-Arab Army for the humanitarian relief provided through field hospitals
in Gaza and the West Bank, and to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation for
its efforts in delivering aid to the strip.
“Together we seek,
by all possible means, to assert the truth to the world and the international
community, to stop the war immediately,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said, stressing
that the intervention of the international community will be necessary to help
in finding a new and realistic perspective for the future of Gaza and of
Palestinians.
“But at the same time,
it is not possible that such a perspective could be achieved, without the
central role of Jordan and of Your Majesty,” he said, addressing the King.
“Your mission and
the special role of the Hashemite family are of the utmost importance. You are
a strong voice in all regional and international forums, helping to preserve
the identity of the Holy City and the ‘status quo’, and guaranteeing the
preservation of the multi-religious and multi-cultural character of Jerusalem
in all her holy places,” Cardinal Pizzaballa added.
“His Holiness Pope
Francis and the Holy See highly appreciate the person of Your Majesty and the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which, thanks to your wise leadership, has made
our beloved Jordanian society a living model of stability in our region,” he
continued.
Jerusalem Awqaf
Department Director Mohammad Azzam Al Khatib praised His Majesty’s efforts in
seeking an end to the war on Gaza and rejecting the forcible displacement of
the Palestinians.
Al Aqsa Mosque Imam Sheikh Yousef
Abu Sneineh highlighted the situation at the mosque under current Israeli
violations, stressing the important role of the Hashemite Custodianship in
safeguarding holy sites and their identity and noting the ongoing steadfastness
of worshippers.
Jordan’s Grand
Mufti Ahmad Hasanat stressed Jordanians’ support for His Majesty’s stances in
support of the Palestinians’ just rights.
Council of Church Leaders President
Archbishop Christoforos Atallah commended His Majesty’s efforts to call for
ending the war on Gaza and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid,
as well as his reaffirmation of the need to reach peace on the basis of the
two-state solution and rejection of forced displacement attempts.
He also lauded the King’s efforts
in preserving the Christian presence in the region and ensuring Christians’
steadfastness.
Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef
Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Awqaf Minister
Mohammad Khalaileh, Chief Islamic Justice Abdul Hafez Rabtah, and Jordan’s Ambassador to
Palestine Issam Bdour attended the meeting.
Members of the
Jerusalem council of churches, the Jerusalem awqaf council, a number of
Jerusalemite figures, and heads of churches in Jordan were also in attendance.
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