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AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for a “swift” action to end the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.
During talks in Amman, the two top diplomats underscored the need to remove all barriers to the delivery of humanitarian aid across war-torn Gaza, and emphasised the importance of launching a serious and effective political process aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
They also reaffirmed the solid and historic ties between Jordan and Norway, expressing mutual interest in expanding cooperation across various fields, the statement said.
Safadi hailed Norway’s recent recognition of the State of Palestine as a “pivotal” move that aligns with international law and justice. He reiterated that a lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also praised Norway’s ongoing efforts through the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) to coordinate international aid to the Palestinians and to revive the peace process.
The two ministers also discussed the situation in Syria, stressing the need to support the Syrian government in rebuilding the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and that protect the rights of its entire citizens.
They also discussed the UN80 Initiative which includes proposals for reforms to the United Nations' system.
Safadi and Eide stressed that the initiative includes “ambitious” and bold proposals for reforming the UN's system, enhancing its efficiency and global leadership role, and consolidating its position as a key platform for dialogue, policy-making, and international decision-making.
In a joint press conference following the meeting, Safadi emphasized the strength of Jordanian-Norwegian relations, describing the partnership as “deeply rooted and historic.”
On the war in Gaza, Safadi said, "As for us in the Kingdom, we once again condemn the aggression and demand that the international community act immediately to end it."
“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is unacceptable. Israel's use of starvation as a weapon is a war crime and a blatant violation not only of international law, but also of all human values, and this must stop." he added.
He also condemned the recent storming of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif by members of the Israeli Knesset, describing it as a provocative act with dangerous consequences. Safadi warned that extremist Israeli rhetoric and actions risk igniting further violence in the West Bank and destabilising the region.
"It is clear that the extremist Israeli minister, who calls for the displacement and the killing of Palestinians with the extremist ideology he represents, want to push the West Bank towards an explosion as well. We strongly warn that an explosion in the West Bank will push the entire region towards more tension and conflict."
Safadi also said that the Israeli prime minister, “who has made his country a rogue state", is putting the future of the entire region at risk of conflict in service of his personal interests and ideology.
For his part, the Norwegian minister underscored the "deep-rooted" friendship between the Jordan and Norway, and between the Royal families and governments of the two countries. He noted that the two countries have developed close working relations and joint coordination on a number of issues of mutual interest.
Eide stressed that forced displacement violates the international law and that expelling the Palestinians out of their land breaks the international law and principles agreed upon by all states.