Safadi, Australian foreign minister address Gaza crisis, halt escalating aggression

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong over the dangerous developments in Gaza, the catastrophic repercussions of the war and international efforts to halt the aggression.

The two ministers stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring the delivery of adequate and sustainable humanitarian assistance to the besieged strip, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

In a joint press briefing following the meeting, Safadi praised the clear Australian positions in supporting the right of Palestinians to self-determination and the two-state solution.

He added that the discussions focused on efforts exerted to reach a permanent ceasefire that ends this aggression and the humanitarian catastrophe it causes.

The minister also acquainted Wong with the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah to end the Israeli aggression and ensure the delivery of assistance and return of displaced people to their areas, reiterating the Kingdom's rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians. 

Safadi stressed that Gaza is witnessing unprecedented destruction, according to UN reports and organisations that announced on Monday that the strip is now facing famine as Israel is not allowing enough humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

He added that the international community today faces a moral, legal and humanitarian challenge. Failing to address this challenge in a way that brings an end to the aggression and meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people for security, freedom and statehood will have dangerous ramifications not only on the region but on the entire world. 

For her part, Wong said that it is a decisive and important timing for the world and region as the conflict and humanitarian suffering continue, and this visit expresses the importance of relations between the two countries and the role Jordan plays in the region. 

The minister announced that her country will contribute $21 million as humanitarian aid to respond to this crisis, $4 million to the Red Cross and Crescent societies, and $6 million to UNRWA.

Replying to a question about Jordan's support for the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel, Safadi expressed the Kingdom's support for this lawsuit at the International Court of Justice and Amman's readiness to present its observations.