King meets representatives of Jewish organisations in US

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with representatives of American Jewish organisations in New York, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Rania.

During the meeting His Majesty and the representatives outlined efforts to revive the peace process, as well as developments in the region, a Royal Court statement said.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of launching serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis on the basis of a two-state solution, as the only solution to ending the conflict, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, that would live in peace alongside Israel.

King Abdullah also stressed the importance of the pivotal role of the US in this regard and the commitment of US President Donald Trump to working towards a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

He also highlighted the important role of Jewish organisations in the US in supporting efforts aimed at achieving peace.

His Majesty stressed that reaching a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is a prelude to broader peace and stability in the region, warning that failure to make progress on the peace track would fuel despair and frustration among the people in the region and play into the hands of extremists who take advantage of the oppression the Palestinian are subject to.

Participants also discussed the most recent crisis at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, with His Majesty reiterating that Jordan, as part of the custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy places in the city, would continue protecting the sacred sites in Jerusalem and would not allow tampering with the historical and legal status quo of the holy shrine.

They also went over regional and global efforts to combat terrorism. 

For their part, representatives of Jewish-American organisations praised the efforts the Kingdom is exerting, under His Majesty’s leadership, to serve the cause of security and stability in the region and the world.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan, Jordan’s Ambassador to the US Dina Kawar and Sima Bahous, Jordan's permanent representative to the UN.