King at OIC Extraordinary Summit says region will never enjoy peace unless Palestinian-Israeli conflict is resolved

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday headed Jordan’s delegation at the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Istanbul to discuss the developments in the Palestinian Territories in the aftermath of the US embassy move to Jerusalem and the violence and violations committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.

King Abdullah delivered a keynote speech at the opening session of the extraordinary summit, attended by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Feisal, Prince Ali, Prince Hamzah, and Prince Hashim, according to a Royal Court statement.

“Jerusalem is our First Qibla. Jerusalem is Amman’s twin. Jerusalem is the key to peace and harmony,” His Majesty said, reaffirming that the sole path to peace is through ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, tbased on the two-state solution.

The King reiterated that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and a final status issue whose future is decided through direct negotiations, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

“Let me stress, once again, that our region will never enjoy comprehensive peace unless the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is resolved according to international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative,” His Majesty said in his speech.

The King, who returned to Jordan later in the day, called for “immediate measures by brotherly Arab and Muslim countries to support the perseverance of Palestinians and empower them economically, while countering attempts to Judaise Jerusalem and alter its Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity”.

“The violence, aggression, and violations perpetrated by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza and elsewhere in the Palestinian Territories must stop,” His Majesty affirmed.

“The international community must uphold its responsibilities before history; peoples of the world and all people of conscience must uphold their responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people and enabling them to gain their rights and end occupation, injustice, and despair,” the King underlined.

“We genuinely seek peace, and everyone is called upon to end the prevalent anguish and frustration by advancing and achieving a peace that fulfils the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people — a peace where the holy city of Jerusalem stands as a symbol of harmony among the followers of the monotheistic faiths, not a cause for conflict,” His Majesty said.

The Jordanian delegation at the extraordinary summit included Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Jordan’s Ambassador to Turkey Ismail Rifai and Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the OIC Majed Qatarneh.