Jordan Times
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Kingdom reiterates rejection
of Israel acts
CAIRO (Petra) –– Jordan on Wednesday reiterated its rejection of unilateral
Israeli measures in the Palestinian territories, including the recent decision
to add the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Bethlehem’s Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque to a
list of Israeli heritage sites.
At the Arab Peace Initiative Committee’s meeting yesterday, held on the
sidelines of the 133rd session of the Arab foreign ministers’ meetings in Cairo,
Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh underlined the Kingdom’s demand that the US and
the international community shoulder their responsibilities to bring an end to
Israel’s “flagrant” violations of international law, which he said hinder
efforts to achieve peace and pose a threat to international peace and stability.
He added that Israel’s unilateral decision to partially halt settlement
activities, except those carried out in Jerusalem, is rejected, stressing that
holy city of Jerusalem is a red line.
Judeh underscored that the Israeli government’s obstinacy has hindered US and
international efforts to bring about the right atmosphere to resume direct
negotiations, noting that Israel continues to create new realities on the ground
taking advantage of the current impasse in peace efforts.
He indicated that the “provocative, immoral and illegal“ Israeli actions in Al
Haram Al Sharif compound require immediate and serious action from the entire
international community, adding that these activities threaten the world’s
security and stability.
The minister added that Israel is also taking advantage of the impasse in peace
efforts to continue its settlement construction activities and the confiscation
of land.
He called on the international community to support the Palestinian position to
arrive at the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967
borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The minister said that the Arab Peace Initiative Committee’s meeting is being
held to come up with a formula that addresses final status issues, particularly
that of borders, stressing that the Arab states’ dedication to the 2002 Arab
Peace Initiative has convinced the world of the seriousness of their commitment
to peace.
Also yesterday, Judeh held talks with European envoy to the Middle East peace
process, Marc Otte, on means to overcome obstacles hindering peace efforts in
the region.
At the meeting, Judeh reiterated Jordan’s stance calling for bolstering
international efforts to surmount the challenges facing efforts to resolve the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The minister underscored the significance of the EU’s role in backing peace
efforts and overcoming obstacles to arrive at a solution to the regional
conflict, noting that addressing the Palestinian issue is the only way to bring
about peace and security in the Middle East.
For his part, Otte underlined the EU’s commitment to continue supporting
international efforts to bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the
basis of the two-state solution and international law.
He expressed the EU’s appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts to bring peace and
stability in the region, stressing the union’s commitment to continue
coordination with Jordan to push the peace process forward.