Safadi, Germany counterpart discuss means to reach effective int’l action to protect Jerusalem

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday held talks with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to discuss crystallising an effective international action plan to protect Jerusalem, its holy sites, its residents, and the international law from illegal Israeli practices. 

During a phone call Sunday, Safadi highlighted the dangerous repercussions of Israeli violations on security and stability in the region and beyond.

Safadi underlined that Israel bears responsibility for the dangerous escalation in the Holy City and that ceasing the escalation is the way to stop the “illegal, provocative and inhuman” Israeli practices against the Palestinians and their rights and against the holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.

Safadi emphasised that evicting Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood would be a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law and a crime that Israel should not be allowed to commit.

As the occupying power, Israel does not possess the right to evict Palestinians and is obligated by international law to respect the existing historical and legal status. 

Safadi also warned of the gravity of the Israeli violations Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and stressed the need for Israel, as the occupying power, to respect the existing historical and legal status in the holy sites and to stop the attacks on worshipers and infringe their right to worship.

The Foreign Minister urged the international community to effectively stop the Israeli attacks on worshipers and the violation of the right to worship and to protect the existing historical and legal status in holy sites.

Safadi appreciated the “clear stance” expressed by Germany and other European countries in refusing to evict Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and rejecting settlements and other illegal steps that violate international law and rights of Palestinians as well as push the region towards more escalation and tension.

Discussing international efforts for de-escalation in Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories, they agreed to continue coordination and consultations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains in contact with international parties and with relevant organisations and institutions in the international community to rally a rigid stance in confronting the Israeli attacks and violations on Al Aqsa Mosque and protect the rights of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah.