‘US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital dangerous decision’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated Jordan’s rejection of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a “dangerous” move and a threat to peace. 

Addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) emergency summit in Istanbul, Turkey, His Majesty said there is no alternative to Jerusalem as the key to ending the historical conflict in the Middle East.

He said extremists have exploited the bitter reality ensuing from the lack of justice to justify the violence and terrorism that threatens security and stability across the globe.

Following is the official translation of the speech: 

In the name of God, the most Merciful, the Compassionate,

Prayers and peace be upon the Arab Hashemite Prophet Mohammad, 

Your Majesties, Highnesses, Excellencies,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

We meet here today to confrontgrave challenges before the Muslim world and the dangerous threats to Jerusalem, where the hearts of all Muslims lie, and where our Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, ascended to heaven. A city holy to Christians as well. 

Your Majesties, Highnesses, Excellencies,

First, the violence and extremism witnessed in the Arab world and beyond is the result of the absence of a just solution to the Palestinian cause, and the resulting feelings of injustice and frustration.

Extremists have exploited this bitter reality to justify the violence and terrorism that threaten security and stability across the globe.

Second, our region can never live in full peace without resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on the two-state solution, and in accordance with international terms of reference and the Arab Peace Initiative, leading to the establishment of the Palestinian state on Palestinian soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital. There is no alternative to Jerusalem as the key to ending this historical conflict.

Third, the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a dangerous decision, whose implications threaten security and stability. It undermines efforts to resume the peace process.

We have constantly warned of the danger of unilateral decisions on Jerusalem outside the framework of a comprehensive solution that fulfils all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to liberty and an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Moreover, attempts to Judaise Jerusalem and alter its Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity will unleash further violence and extremism; for the city is holy to the followers of the three monotheistic faiths.

Fourth, the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem is a historical responsibility that Jordan is honoured to continue to uphold.

We will continue to counter any attempt to change the historical and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and you are Jordan’s firm supporters as it undertakes this responsibility. We must work as one to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites, and to prevent attempts to establish new facts on the ground.

Fifth, our Palestinian brothers deserve our utmost support to enable them to persevere and to continue working with the international community to reach a just and comprehensive solution that ends the historical injustice they have been living under, and achieves their right to statehood.

Your Majesties, Highnesses, Excellencies,

We have agreed at the Arab summit in Jordan that the perilous challenges facing us call for collective action to safeguard our Arab and Muslim interests. We are urgently required to overcome our differences and unite our efforts to protect Jerusalem, and to safeguard our security and our peoples’ right to live in security and peace.

My friends,

Jerusalem is most holy in Islam.It is in the hearts of all Muslims… as it is in the hearts of all Christians. Our right, Muslims and Christians, to Jerusalem is eternal.

In closing, I thank my brother and friend, His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for graciously hosting this summit.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.