Israel has to choose between peace and conflict — FM

AMMAN — Israel has to choose between a just and comprehensive peace that ends the occupation and resorts to the two-state solution leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines or the continuation of the conflict that exacerbates the Israeli violations of Palestinians’ legitimate rights and its illegal steps undermining all opportunities for peace, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Thursday.

In a Foreign Ministry statement following the announcement of the UAE-Israeli agreement to normalise relations based on efforts to realise peace, Safadi said that the deal will be tied to Israel’s actions in the post-agreement period.

The minister said that if Israel considers the agreement as a means to end the occupation and meet the Palestinians’ rights to freedom and the creation of a viable independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 borders, the region will move ahead towards realising peace, or else Israel will deepen the conflict that will jeopardise the entire region’s security.

He added that Israel’s decision to freeze the annexation of Palestinian territories mentioned in the agreement with the UAE has to be followed by Israel stopping its illegitimate procedures that undermine peace opportunities and violate Palestinian rights.

Safadi said that the Israeli decision to annul the annexation must be immediately followed by direct, “serious and effective” negotiations to realise a just peace according to the two-state solution, international law and the Arab peace initiative.

A just and comprehensive peace that constitutes an Arab strategic option that gives importance for regional and international peace and security will never be attained as long as there is occupation and Israel persists on its policies and procedures that “kill” the two-state solution and “demolish all the pillars” of the peace process, the minister stressed.

The continuation of the occupation and the deprivation of the legitimate rights of Palestinians will not result in peace or security, Safadi said, adding that they, on the contrary, will inevitably lead to exacerbating the conflict and undermining all achievements realised in the endeavours towards peace, the statement said.

He also said that “the region is at a crossroads now”: Either a peace that ends the occupation and meets all the legitimate rights of Palestinians based on the two-state solution, international law and land for peace or a conflict. 

Safadi said that Jordan supports “any real effort” that can contribute to realising a  just and comprehensive peace that ends the occupation and meets all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people according to the two-state solution.

The Kingdom is working jointly with “brotherly and friendly” countries to realise a just and comprehensive peace that will only be achieved once it is accepted by peoples.