House committee scrutinises US’ Jerusalem decision, repercussions

AMMAN — The Lower House’s National Guidance and Media Committee on Tuesday organised a dialogue session on the repercussions of the US decisions to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate its embassy to the occupied Palestinian city.

Participants in the session, including Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, Awqaf Minister Wael Arabiyat, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah and MPs, reiterated the Kingdom’s unaltered stance that rejects the decision.

Tarawneh said that the Chamber has embarked on sending letters to Arab, Islamic and international parliaments on the dangers of such a decision and the US plans, which “are null and void, and are biased towards Israel”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He added that the House received positive feedback from these parliaments, especially European and Latin legislatures, which he said, constitutes pressure points in the international arena.  

Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, expressed pride in the Kingdom’s “brave” stance on the US decision before and after its announcement, calling on all state institutions to reflect this stance and convey its firm message to the world through professional means. 

He added that His Majesty King Abdullah’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and his meetings with Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday were aimed at reiterating the Kingdom’s rejection of this “unfair unilateral decision and its dangerous consequences that contradict all international resolutions on Jerusalem”. 

For his part, Arabiyat stressed that the Jerusalem issue is not a new concern for Jordan, which has historical stances in defending the city.

The minister added that the ministry has more than 1,000 employees in the holy city and annually pays them around JD15 million as salaries, highlighting the Kingdom’s role in successive renovations to the city to maintain its Arab and Islamic heritage.

Maaytah said that Jordan, upon directives from King Abdullah, held several conferences and contacted heads of state regarding the consequences of the US decision.

MP Abdullah Obeidat, head of the panel, said that the Kingdom is going through a very difficult phase as a result of regional conditions, especially regarding Jerusalem, which requires unified efforts against Washington’s decision and to support the Palestinians.