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Restoring calm

Jul 20,2017 - Last updated at Jul 20,2017

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Awqaf Minister Wael Arabiyat briefed the Council of Ministers on Wednesday on the alarming situation in East Jerusalem as a result of the series of provocative actions by Israel that started when it arbitrarily closed Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif in the face of Palestinian worshippers.

There is every fear that tension between Israelis and the Palestinians — because of Israel’s utter disregard for the historical and legal status in East Jerusalem — could escalate into all-out Intifada.

Jordan, said the two ministers, wants to restore calm and push the two sides towards serious peace talks.

Otherwise, the alternative is going to be no less than a new Palestinian uprising, similar to Al Aqsa Intifada that erupted back in 2000.

Al Aqsa Intifada was triggered when Ariel Sharon, the Israeli opposition leader at the time, made a provocative visit to the religious site in the company of military escort.

What ensued was a long and bloody Palestinian uprising during which 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis lost their lives.

This is not to mention that the Aqsa revolt forestalled all peace efforts and made the resumption of peace negotiations virtually impossible for a long time.

All that Jordan is calling for at this stage is the preservation of the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, especially the Kingdom’s internationally recognised role as the custodian of the holy places in it.

The continued escalation of tension, as evidenced by the increasing number of Palestinian casualties in the last few days is what worries Jordan most.

Conducting serious peace talks between the two sides cannot be pursued in the absence of calm and peace on the ground.

There is nothing worse or more explosive than religiously charged tensions.

Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, and any threat to it is bound to escalate into a bigger and a bloodier reaction.

 

This much Israel must understand before it is too late, and it must weigh its steps accordingly.

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