Jordan reaffirms support for Palestine at Tehran conference

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Tuesday said Jordan has always affirmed its connection to the Palestinian cause, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at the “Sixth International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada” in Tehran, Tarawneh said the only way to end the Arab-Israeli conflict is to adopt international conventions and revive negotiations to establish a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani chaired the conference, which saw representatives from 70 countries participate.

Tarawneh said the conference gathers people to support Palestinians and their cause, which has been ongoing for over 70 years, throughout which the Israeli occupation has carried out increasing injustices.

“The cause is apparently falling behind in the region’s priorities due to the turbulence it is experiencing,” the speaker said.

Tarawneh highlighted the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as the need to protect them from Israeli violations and to protect their religious identity. 

Tarawneh warned against moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, noting that such an action could cause dangerous repercussions for the future of the peace process, while also fuelling extremism in the region. 

Jordan faces danger on three fronts, the House speaker said; on the west there is the Israeli occupation, on the east there is the Iraqi crisis with its sectarian divisions, and on the north there is the Syrian crisis that has been ongoing for the past six years.

He voiced hope that the upcoming Arab summit, to be held in Jordan in March, will unite the Arab world to take a firm stance against terrorism.