Monday, October 19, 2009
King: Palestinian-Israeli conflict a priority
Official release from RHC
Rome (19 October 2009) – His Majesty King Abdullah II said in an
interview with the Italian daily la Repubblica that was published today that he
will discuss with Italian leaders ways of advancing the strong and historic
bilateral ties between the two countries in addition to efforts to resolve the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve peace in the region.
On the eve of a state visit to Italy, the King also said his talks will address
cooperation on mega projects that Jordan will launch over the next few years, in
construction, alternative energy, water conveyance and rail roads.
The King called on the international community, especially the United States and
Europe to make an immediate and effective effort to launch negotiations to
achieve comprehensive peace. He warned against a human catastrophe in Gaza,
where the suffering will increase as the winter season approaches and called on
the international community to move faster to end the blockade.
He stressed that failure to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the
basis of the two-state solution and within a regional and comprehensive context
is the most serious threat to peace and stability in the Middle East region and
the Mediterranean.
In response to a question about whether the Palestinian issue or the Iranian
nuclear problem is the priority as Israel maintains, the King said the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the root cause of conflict in the region, adding
that the region will never enjoy regional peace and stability until it is
resolved on the basis of the two-state solution. He note that when he was in the
United States around six months ago there were some voices that focussed on
"Iran, Iran, Iran" in an attempt to make Iran a priority, but His Majesty's
response was to repeat "Palestine, Palestine, Palestine."
Failure to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve Arab-Israeli
peace is the most serious threat to peace and to stability in the region,
including in the Mediterranean, King Abdullah added. That must be the priority,
he stressed.
He commended efforts by the US President Barack Obama noting that Obama began
the first 24 hours of his mandate with a serious effort to resolve the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The King welcomed dialogue between Iran and western states about its nuclear
reactors, noting that the alternative to dialogue is conflict. We have enough
conflict and violence in our part of the world and we don't need another
conflict, he added
King Abdullah reiterated a call for a region free from weapons of mass
destruction, stressing the need for all countries in the region including Israel
to be totally transparent regarding the nuclear issue.
Jordan, he added will be the "model of total transparency. We are planning on a
peaceful nuclear energy programme that will enable us not just to be self
sufficient but also to be a regional energy provider."
The King was asked if he was disappointed over failure to achieve a breakthrough
even after seven missions by US special envoy to the Middle East George
Mitchell. He said, "I was expecting more, and more quickly. I was expecting more
of a dramatic breakthrough in early summer. But there has definitely been a
delay."
King Abdullah said that Israel's failure to stop the construction of settlements
constitutes a major obstacle to efforts to relaunch negotiations. The
settlements are illegal and the international community also considers them
illegal, he added. If Israel really believes in a two-state solution, then it
knows that those settlements inside the Palestinian territories will become
Palestinian property, he noted, adding that stopping the settlements is vital as
proof that Israel’s commitment to peace is sincere. The interpretation across
the Arab world is that Israel does not want peace, King Abdullah said.
He warned against Israeli unilateral actions that seek to change the identity of
Jerusalem and threaten its Muslim and Christian holy sites. He noted Israeli
attempts to change realities on the ground in East Jerusalem, which is part of
Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. King Abdullah added that he told
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Amman that Jerusalem is of
tremendous importance for Jordan and is a red line that can not be crossed.
The sanctity of Jerusalem must be understood, as well as the dangers posed by
excavations that undermine the foundations of the Al Aqsa Mosque, he warned.
King Abdullah said these measures that also include encroachments on Muslim and
Christian property are extremely provocative to the followers of the two
monotheistic religions. Jerusalem should be a symbol of harmony and should be
open to the three monotheistic faiths, the King said.
In response to a question about why the establishment of a Palestinian state is
an issue of national security for Jordan, the King said, "Because, without that,
the whole region will never enjoy the peace and stability it deserves."
Israel will not reach peace and acceptance in the region unless the Palestinians
achieve their independent state, he stressed. It is the ideal solution within a
comprehensive peace that solves the problem between the Israelis and 57 Arab and
Muslim states that do not recognize Israel.
The King said the status quo is unacceptable and will lead to more conflict,
warning that the window of opportunity to achieve peace is very limited. "If we
find ourselves, a year or two from now, still asking the same questions, then I
fear that our generation will not see peace."
King Abdullah said reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is an essential
Palestinian interest and that Jordan supports Egyptian efforts in that regard.
The King called on the United States and Europe to intensify efforts to achieve
peace, stressing that Israel must decide either to integrate itself in the
region through comprehensive peace or continue to stay fortress Israel and live
with the resulting dangers.
In response to a question about Netanyahu's call for economic peace, King
Abdullah rejected such calls, stressing that the only means to achieve peace is
to fulfil the Palestinians' right to establish their independent state.
King Abdullah was asked about his experience with Netanyahu and said, "My first
experience was not a very pleasant one. We had major crisis between Jordan and
Israel, the worst since the peace process." He also referred to his last meeting
with Netanyahu in Amman in May during which the Israeli prime minister "made
promises of pursuing peace, but since then Israel has not moved on those
promises."
In response to a question about President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize, King Abdullah said he congratulated President Obama on receiving the
Nobel Prize. He also expressed Jordan's appreciation of Obama's efforts to
strengthen diplomacy and cooperation between people. King Abdullah also noted
that the positive feelings generated by President Obama’s positive messages and
gestures will evaporate unless people see real progress on the ground.