Jordan warns of consequences of moving US embassy to Jerusalem

AMMAN — Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Sunday discussed via a phone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson regional developments, particularly the Palestinian issue.

The development came in the light of reports that US President Donald Trump may announce a decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Trump is close to the decision on whether to recognise occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his son-in-law and Middle East peace envoy Jared Kushner said Sunday (Click to see separate story).

Safadi stressed on the importance of preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, pointing out the “grave consequences” of such a decision. 

The potential step is critical, he said, given the special religious, historical and pan-national status of Jerusalem not only for Palestinians and Jordanians but also for the Arab and Islamic world. 

He also underlined the adverse effects of the expected move on the efforts being exerted by the US to help achieve Palestinian-Israeli peace, which have been accepted by Jordan and all Arab countries, adding that the decision is likely to push the region into further tension.

He stressed that the issue of Jerusalem should be addressed in the context of final-status negotiations in accordance with all relevant international resolutions and terms of reference.

Safadi and Tillerson also discussed bilateral relations and a number of regional issues, emphasising the importance of security and stability.

Meanwhile, Jordan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called for two emergency meetings of the Council of the League of Arab States and the foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to discuss ways to deal with the US’ looming decision.

Safadi has intensified contacts with counterparts to coordinate stances in light of the new developments.

The contacts have included Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubair,  Oman’s counterpart Yousef Bin Alawai, Egyptian top diplomat Sameh Shoukry and Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah, as well as Moroccan and Iraqi foreign ministers, Nasser Bourita and Ibrahim Al Jaafari, respectively.

Safadi also contacted High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Secretary General of the OIC Yousef Bin Othaimin, Petra, reported.

Meanwhile, the minister is engaged in intensified consultations with Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Saeb Erekat and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki over means to deal with the serious repercussions of the decision, if made.

During his last week’s visit to the US, His Majesty King Abdullah called for giving the peace process a chance to succeed, noting that moving the embassy must come within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel.

Moving the embassy at this stage, the King warned, would have implications on the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim scene, and would threaten the two-state solution; it could be potentially exploited by terrorists to stoke anger, frustration and desperation in order to spread their ideologies.