Jerusalem must be ‘remade an icon of peace’ — Safadi

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday chaired the Arab six-party meeting with the EU Foreign Affairs Council configuration (FAC), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting, held upon a request by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, was organised to discuss the challenges facing the peace process in light of the US’ decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel, and means to proceed with the two-state solution.

In addition to Safadi, the foreign ministers of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Egypt, along with the Arab League’s Secretary General Ahmad Aboul Gheit, exchanged with their EU counterparts views over ways to resume the peace efforts towards establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital to live peacefully with Israel.

In a press statement that preceded the meeting, Safadi voiced appreciation of the EU for hosting the meeting, which, he said, was an opportunity for sharing opinions on realising the common goal of a comprehensive, sustainable and just peace in the Middle East.

The minister noted the international laws that stipulate that Jerusalem is among final status issues and its fate must be determined through direct negotiations in line with international legitimacy resolutions and other terms of reference.

He said that the city is holy for Muslims, Christians and Jews, and must be “remade an icon of peace”; however, it still suffers from occupation, intimidation and desperation.  

The diplomat noted that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has closed its doors “for the first time in a millennium”, in protest against heavy Israeli taxes, which would lead to seizure of the Christian properties.

He stressed that the situation imposed by Israel must be changed through peace talks that would ensure East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine with keeping all holy places open for the followers of the three monotheistic religions.

For her part, Mogherini said she hopes that a speedy solution can be found to the crisis over East Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre closing in protest of Israel’s new tax policy, according to Anadolu news agency.

“We hope that a solution can be found quickly. Jerusalem is a holy city to the three monotheistic religions. This special status and character of the city must be preserved and respected by all,” she told a press conference in Brussels with Safadi . 

Palestinian Christian leaders say the move aims to protest plans by the Jerusalem municipality to levy taxes on church properties and a proposed bill in the Israeli parliament that would make it harder for them to sell property. 

On Israeli-Palestinian relations, Mogherini said “a negotiated two-state solution with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, Israel and Palestine, is the only viable and realistic way to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of both parties and achieve long-term peace”.

The Anadolu news agency quoted Mogherini as stressing that all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal and block chances of peace.

“We have also called on all sides to prevent violence and incitement and take constructive steps to advance the two-state reality on the grounds and create the conditions for successful negotiations.”