Jordan calls for collective action to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza

AMMAN — The meeting, within the framework of the Munich Group, aligns with “our shared vision” for a genuine and just peace in the Middle East, fulfilling the legitimate rights of both Palestinians and Israelis through the two-state solution. This solution entails an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the June 4, 1967 borders, living alongside Israel in security and peace, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Thursday. 

During a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, following a meeting in Berlin, Germany, as part of the Munich Group, Safadi commended the Munich Group key’s role in keeping the focus of the international community on the central conflict in the region.

He said that the meeting took place at a critical and challenging time, marked by the loss of lives of Palestinian children and women, destruction of homes, and jeopardised futures, calling for a collective action to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza, end the resulting violence, restore calm, and establish a political framework that renews a genuine and effective peace process leading to the two-state solution.

Jordan remains committed to relentless efforts in achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, he said, emphasising the Kingdom’s cooperation with partners, including Germany and France, as well as Egypt, among others and expressing their efforts in this arena. 

He also emphasized the need to end the occupation, noting "Israel has the right to live in security and peace, and the Palestinians have an equal right to live in security and peace. It is clear that the well-being of both parties is interconnected. The security of Israelis cannot be achieved unless Palestinians also have their security ensured within a political resolution that upholds the legitimate rights of both peoples.

“It is evident that the root cause of the ongoing violence and deterioration is the occupation itself. Putting an end to this occupation, based on the two-state solution, which guarantees Palestinians their rightful independent state with security and peace alongside Israel, is the only viable approach to halt the cycle of violence,” he said.

He also reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to support Egypt’s initiatives pertaining to Gaza.  

On violations that took place during the holy month of Ramadan, he said that the violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites have the potential to unleash new cycles of violence that “none of us desire”.

"His Majesty King Abdullah is the Custodian of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites,” he said, stressing that Jordan takes this responsibility very seriously. 

The Kingdom is fully committed to protecting the Arab Islamic and Christian identity of Jerusalem and preserving its historical and legal status. Safeguarding the Islamic and Christian holy sites, as well as preserving their historical and legal status quo, is crucial for maintaining peace, he said.