Jordan calls on Israel to halt provocations in Jerusalem

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki on Sunday warned against the repercussions of the serious developments in occupied Jerusalem, urging the Israeli side to halt all provocative measures and extremist attacks that push towards a new wave of tension and violence.

In a phone call, the two sides stressed the necessity of launching an immediate international action to oblige Israel, the occupying power, to stop extremist organisations’ racist movements in the Old City of Jerusalem, to stop violence and restore calm, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and Maliki called on Israel to respect the sanctity of Ramadan and stop all provocative actions in the holy sites, as well as to lift all restrictions and measures that infringe Palestinians’ rights in holding their religious ceremonies at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, especially during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan. 

The two sides drew attention to the importance of resuming “serious and effective” negotiations to resolve the conflict according to the two-state solution that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The continued absence of peace, unilateral Israeli measures that undermine peace opportunities and the occupation’s provocative measures, notably the actions in occupied Jerusalem, present a threat to the entire region, they said.

The two top diplomats stressed ongoing joint action, in coordination with the international community, towards protecting the Palestinians’ rights and achieving a just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.  

Also on Sunday, Safadi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed the recent developments in Jerusalem, stressing the necessity of stopping all attacks and provocations to end tension and resume calm.

The two ministers, over the phone, denounced all violent incitement actions carried out by extremist groups against the Palestinians in the Old City in Jerusalem, calling on Israel, as an occupying force, to immediately stop such activities.

The two sides highlighted the continued bilateral efforts and communications with the international community towards obliging the Israeli side to shoulder its responsibility in providing protection for the Palestinians in accordance with international law.

Safadi and Shoukry warned against escalating provocations against the Jerusalemites and denying them access to Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, which have taken place since the beginning of Ramadan. The two ministers stressed the need to stop these violations that target Jerusalem’s Arab, Islamic and Christian identity and aim to alter the holy city’s historical and legal status quo.

The two sides also urged the international community to   break the deadlock that has hung over peace efforts and resume serious negotiations towards a fair and comprehensive peace, according to the two-state solution.

Talks over the phone also went over means of bolstering bilateral relations in all fields. The two top diplomats reviewed regional developments, as part of the two countries’ continued coordination and consultation.

Shoukry also briefed Safadi on the results of his African tour made to discuss the latest developments related to the Renaissance Dam. Safadi reiterated the Kingdom’s support for Egypt’s efforts to protect its water rights, which are part of Arab national security, and voiced support for Cairo’s position to resolve the issue of the Renaissance Dam, based on preserving the rights of all parties according to international law. 

Also on Sunday, discussed efforts to halt Israeli provocations in the Old City of Jerusalem with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland.

Safadi highlighted the need to make every effort to stop provocative actions and ensuring Jerusalemites access to Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, to end tension and restoring calm, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.  

Safadi also denounced extremist groups attacks against Jerusalemites in the Old City, which increased since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, scale up international community’s efforts to ensure that Israel shoulder its responsibility, as an occupying force, to protect the Palestinians.

The two sides agreed to continue coordination to prevent the situation from undermining, and to create a political horizon to resume negotiations, the sole way to peace, and to resolve the conflict on the basis of the two states solution, according to resolutions of international legitimacy and accredited terms of reference.