House speaker calls for stand against ‘Israeli terrorism’

AMMAN — Jordanians support His Majesty King Abdullah’s Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (APU) and Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said on Sunday.

Delivering a speech at the 140th meeting of the APU in Doha, Tarawneh warned against the continuous Israeli violations against the holy sites, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In this regard, he said that provoking Arabs, Muslims and Christians of the east carries significant repercussions. It undermines international efforts in the war against terrorism, he added, underscoring the continuation of “Israeli terrorism”.

The APU presented an urgent item on its agenda to remind the world that Palestine is still occupied and that its people need protection, while generations suffer still the uncertainties of an unknown future as well as the woes of the reality, Tarawneh underlined.

It aims at perpetuating and supporting a culture of international law against recognising the legitimacy of occupation, he noted, pointing to the US recognition of Israel’s annexation of the occupied Golan Heights.

Such arbitrary and impromptu decisions can result in considerable threats and catastrophic repercussions for the region and the entire world, the speaker said. Such a reality could fuel terrorism and contribute to the downfall of all values of coexistence, Tarawneh warned.

He noted that the principles of moderation and tolerance that the Kingdom always seeks to promote clash with Israeli atrocities and policies of fait accompli, aiming at the Judisation of the state at the expense of the Palestinian people.

On the US decision to recognise Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, Tarawneh said that Washington, instead of maintaining a neutral position, signed a document recognising Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, in total disregard of all relevant UN resolutions.

Such a move benefits only the extremist right, he stated.

The speaker said that the region has witnessed a fierce war on terrorism and extremists, during which Iraq managed to achieve victory through unity against these groups. Syria also was able to clear its territories from terrorists, he said, calling on all to support such endeavours towards similar achievements.