House speaker calls for united Islamic response to Israeli occupation

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi on Monday called on Islamic parliaments to adopt a unified position rejecting all practices of the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.

Safadi’s remarks came during the 17th Parliamentary Session of the Union of Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was inaugurated by President of the Algerian Assembly Ibrahim Boughali on behalf of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Safadi called for a united position against the Israeli occupation’s intrusions into holy sites and the expansion of settlements. 

Islamic parliaments have a duty to uphold Palestinians’ rights on their national soil, the first and foremost of which is the right to establish an independent Palestinian state, he said, adding that Islamic parliaments also must support the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The speaker reaffirmed the importance of His Majesty King Abdullah’s concept of “re-globalisation” in the face of crises and promoting joint international collective action for the benefit of all. Safadi noted that the Kingdom has begun to put this idea into practice through its partnerships with Iraq and Egypt.

He stressed the need to reject all attempts to Judaise the holy land, and the importance of continued support for UNRWA. The House speaker proposed that the Algiers Conference be titled the "Conference on the Defence of Jerusalem”.

Safadi called for supporting Iraq and its security, stability and territorial integrity, stressing the need to support all peaceful endeavours to find solutions in Syria, Yemen and Libya in order to preserve the unity of their land and people.

He stressed the importance of adopting legislation to facilitate trade and ease customs duties and tax restrictions among OIC member states to further development in these nations, which account for about one-third of the world's population.

Islam should be immune from the charges of extremism, which have been falsely and carelessly ascribed to it, he said, adding that Islam calls for love and tolerance.

According to Safadi, Jordan has always been and will remain at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, warning against any "foolish practices" that fuel hatred and violence.

Concluding his statement, Safadi said:"Isn't the burning of the Holy Koran a few days ago in Sweden considered extremist and terrorist?"