King makes extensive contacts in defence of Jerusalem’s holy sites

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday embarked on a series of contacts with key international players to drum up support for Jordan’s position in defence of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

His Majesty on Tuesday discussed separately the recent Israeli violations against Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem with US Vice President Joe Biden and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.

Meanwhile, Palestinian, Egyptian and Qatari leaders have voiced support for Jordan’s stance in defending Jerusalem while rallies were staged in several cities against Israeli violations in the holy city, a Royal Court statement released Tuesday said.

The Arab Thought Forum issued a statement in defence of Jerusalem’s identity and Jordan’s role as the custodian of the city’s holy sites.

Also on Tuesday, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said Israeli forces’ recurrent attacks and raids on Al Aqsa Mosque compound and the worshippers are denounced in the international law and are against humanity and religious principles.

In a phone call with Biden, the two leaders discussed the recent Israeli assaults on Al Aqsa Mosque, and King Abdullah said the US has to take a firm stance against these violations. Discussions also covered the situation in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq. 

His Majesty and Schulz discussed, in a phone call, the situation in Jerusalem, with the King stressing that Europe and the international community should take decisive positions  and work to bring an end to the Israeli acts of aggression against Al Aqsa. 

The King received a telephone call from Palestinian President Mohammad Abbas, during which they discussed the Israeli recent violations in Jerusalem, particularly at Al Aqsa Mosque.

Abbas commended Jordan’s intensive efforts, led by King Abdullah, in defending Jerusalem and its sacred shrines.

The Palestinian president highlighted Jordan’s constant stances, reflected in His Majesty’s statements during the meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron a day earlier.

In those statements, the King voiced the concern and anger in Jordan because of the recent Israeli provocations in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, which His Majesty said would affect the Jordanian-Israeli relations.

The Monarch also received a call from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, during which the two leaders discussed the recent Israeli violations in the holy city and their repercussions.

They agreed on the importance of intensified coordination to stop the violations and Sisi voiced his support and appreciation of His Majesty’s efforts and the Kingdom’s in protecting Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem.

In another phone call, the Monarch and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the Israeli attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque and the Kingdom’s efforts to end them.

Both leaders expressed their condemnation of the acts, calling the international community to pressure Israel to halt its violations against Jerusalem and the mosque

Momani, who is also government spokesperson, stressed that the international and humanitarian laws condemn such Israeli crimes which contradict religious principles, adding that these act would not earn Israel, as an occupation force, peace and stability.

He also called on the Israeli government to immediately stop its raids and provocations against Al Aqsa Mosque, to halt its attacks on holy sites and to respect its commitments as stipulated in the peace treaty, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister also said Jordan will exert all efforts to combat Israeli assaults on Islamic and Christian holy sites, and added that all diplomatic and legal options are being thoroughly studied to achieve the goal of protecting the violated sanctuaries.

In denunciation of the Israeli acts of aggression, the Islamic Action Front (IAF) organised on Sunday a demonstration in front of its headquarters and the Islamic movement organised on Sunday and Monday rallies in Irbid and Zarqa in front of mosques, according to a statement the party released Monday. 

The IAF statement also announced more marches to take place in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa.

In Amman, the Islamic movement will organise a march and a number of activities on Friday, starting the march from Al Husseini Mosque, whereas the IAF will hold on Wednesday at 5pm a meeting in its headquarters on the issue.

In Irbid, a march will be staged on Friday, starting from several mosques, whereas in Zarqa, the Islamic movement will organise a rally that will commence in front of Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in the city’s downtown, according to the statement.

Also on Tuesday, the Jordan Press Association (JPA) denounced the Israeli raids on Al Aqsa Mosque and attacking worshippers, according to a statement it issued, Petra reported. 

The association called on the international community, gearing up for a UN meeting this month in New York, to reject the Israeli attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque which provoke the feelings of Muslims and Christians and bring more violence and religious radicalism to the region.

The Arab Thought Forum is closely following the events unfolding in Jerusalem, where Israeli occupation forces are continuously desecrating the “Noble Sanctuary” not to mention repeated attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic religious and holy places, a forum statement said Tuesday.

The Israeli occupation forces are also resorting to excessive use of force against defenceless worshippers and the guards of the mosque, expelling them and closing the area.

In the statement, the forum said it salutes the steadfastness of the Arab Jerusalemites and their resistance and called for practical measures to bolster the survival of the Jerusalemites on their land through all available means, and to express a categorical rejection of Israeli aggression on Jerusalem, its sanctuaries and religious endowments.