King renews full support for Palestinian leadership, people

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday voiced Jordan's full support to Palestinians in maintaining their historical and legal rights in Jerusalem and endeavours to establish the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

During talks His Majesty held with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Basman Palace, in the presence of HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the two leaders stressed that US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocation of the embassy in the city constitute clear violations to the international law and international legitimacy. 

King Abdullah highlighted the importance of intensifying Arab, Islamic and international efforts to safeguard the rights of Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem, he said, constitutes the key to achieve peace and stability in the region, according to a Royal Court statement. 

In this regard, the King called for building on the international rejection against the US decision to avoid any unilateral steps that “other countries may take”.

His Majesty and Abbas underscored the importance of coordinating Arab stances, unifying efforts and contacting the international community over the dangerous repercussions of the US decision on regional security, stability and efforts aimed at reaching peace.

The King urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility in taking decisive and supportive decisions to push for peace and find a solution to the Palestinian issue. 

His Majesty stressed that the Jerusalem issue has to be settled within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital that exists in security and peace alongside Israel.

Both leaders emphasised that any measures aimed at altering the legal and historical status of Jerusalem are null and void and will lead to more tension and violence in the region and the rest of the world. 

They also agreed on the centrality of the Palestinian cause in the region, stressing that the US decision will have dangerous consequences and provoke the sentiments of Muslims and Christians in Arab and Islamic worlds.

His Majesty, during his telephone calls with several heads of state, stressed on the importance of backing Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority against any Israeli attempts to change the status quo in Jerusalem and supporting Palestinians in establishing their independent state according to the two-state solution, Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions. 

For his part, Abbas acquainted the King with the contacts he made with heads of states on dangers against Jerusalem and the ramifications of Trump’s decision on the future of the peace process, security and stability in the region and the world.

The president expressed the Palestinian people’s appreciation of the Jordanian role in supporting Palestinians and defending their legitimate rights in establishing their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.   

In remarks to the press, following his discussions with the King, Abbas said that the Jordanian-Palestinian coordination is a continuous process, especially since both countries share the same fate, future and concerns when it comes to the Palestinian cause.

In light of Trump’s decision, there is a lot to be done through the Arab League and the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to be held in Istanbul, Abbas said, highlighting the importance of consultation on all issues to be addressed. 

Making the decision, the US alienated itself from political action in the Middle East, Abbas stressed, adding that worldwide rejections of the US decision on Jerusalem are important messages to Trump that his announcement cannot receive approval at all.