Judeh meets with key envoys over Israel’s Jerusalem violations

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Saturday urged permanent members of the UN Security Council and the EU to put pressure on Israel to halt its violations against Al Haram Al Sharif compound in Jerusalem.

Judeh made these remarks at a meeting with ambassadors to Jordan representing countries with permanent membership in the UN Security Council, EU Ambassador to Jordan Joanna Wronecka and Italian Ambassador Patrizio Fondi, whose country currently holds the presidency of the EU, according to a ministry statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

The minister noted that His Majesty King Abdullah has directed the government to take all necessary measures, including legal action, to respond to these attacks and unilateral acts of aggression as Jordan Hashemite leaders have historically been the custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem.

He cited the Israeli security forces’ storming of the courtyard of Al Aqsa Mosque last week, where they closed the gates and prevented worshippers, including the mosque guards, from entering the compound and performing their prayers in the holy shrine. They also intimidated Jordanian Awqaf Department staff and allowed Jewish extremists to desecrate the sanctity of the mosque.

In the statement, the ministry stressed that these acts are clear violations of international law that reinforce Israel's position as an occupying force and contradict international Israeli commitments.

Judeh late last week phoned UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and delivered a “strongly worded message” about continued Israeli violations and escalatory measures, urging the UN chief and the international community to stop Israeli violations in Al Haram Al Sharif compound in Jerusalem.

Also on Saturday, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Khaled Kalaldeh met with secretaries general of political parties to acquaint them with the Kingdom’s stances vis-à-vis local and regional developments, including the Israeli violations in Jerusalem. 

The attendees criticised the absence of information exchange between the government and political parties, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Discussions also focused on Jordan’s stance regarding the international alliance against the Islamic State (IS) and the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque. 

The delegates requested a meeting with King Abdullah to discuss important issues of local concern — especially in terms of decisions related to the Jordan Armed Forces and their participation in the war against IS — and stressed their keenness to facilitate the unity, security and stability of the country.