Palestinians need freedom, independence as much as they need economic support — Safadi

AMMAN — Jordan has reiterated that ending the Israeli occupation and the emergence of a sovereign Palestinian state is the sole path to peace. 

In remarks at Wednesday’s Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting that was held in Brussels by Norway and the EU, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that the envisioned state should be established in line with relevant terms of reference, especially the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions, within the June 4, 1967 lines and with East Jerusalem as its capital, to live side by side with Israel.

Safadi highlighted the importance of intensifying international efforts to launch an effective drive to work out a feasible solution, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He added that the meeting stressed the centrality of the conflict and its international repercussions.

Subsequently, he said, this highlights the importance of launching an intentional effort that engages Europe, the US, Japan, Russia, China and all countries to solve this conflict.  

The minister referred to His Majesty King Abdullah’s confirmation that Jerusalem with its status to followers of the three Abrahamic religions is the key to peace, stressing that the city has to be a symbol of peace rather than a field of occupation and despair.

He noted that the Norway-chaired committee was formed some 25 years ago at a time of hope to reach a peace that was possible based on the two-state solution. 

The current situation is characterised by absence of hope to reach peace through implementing the two-state solution, which is undermined by the unilateral Israeli procedures, Safadi noted.  

During the conference, that also addressed support for Gaza through launching economic projects, the minister said that Gaza’s people need schools, hospitals, jobs, and more importantly freedom and an independent state.

He also stressed the importance of sustaining support to UNRWA and enabling it to present vital services to refugees whose issue has to be solved under the final status negotiations, based on UN Resolution 194 and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Safadi also discussed the latest developments related to ending the stalemate in peace efforts with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide. 

The AHLC is a 15-member committee that serves as the principal policy-level coordination mechanism for development assistance to the Palestinian people. The AHLC is chaired by Norway and co-sponsored by the EU and the US. In addition, the United Nations participates together with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The AHLC seeks to promote dialogue between donors, the Palestinian Authority and Israel.