His Majesty King Abdullah has reaffirmed that Jordan will continue its intensive efforts, in cooperation with all regional and international parties, to push the peace process forward and support the efforts of the Palestinians to achieve their aspirations.

In a letter to the chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Fode Seck, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, King Abdullah said Jordan, as president of the Arab Summit and in line with the historical Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will work to safeguard these holy places and oppose any attempts to change the historical and legal status quo in the holy city.

Arab leaders, at the Summit held in March, in Jordan this year, affirmed their commitment to peace as a strategic option, His Majesty said in the letter, and the Summit sent a message of peace to Israel, awaiting an honest intention and desire from Tel Aviv for just, comprehensive, and permanent peace, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Initiative, the King added, represents the most holistic and realistic solution; it also meets the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for an independent, sovereign state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Although 2017 had been touted as the International Year to End the Israeli Occupation, this year has been marked by Israeli forces’ escalatory measures that affect the historical and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, His Majesty noted.

If these actions continue, they will spark a new disaster, the King warned, citing a report by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on the increase in settlement building, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions.

His Majesty noted that despite the major challenges faced this year and the current stalemate in the peace process, the Palestinian reconciliation agreement is commendable and very important in bolstering Palestinian unity and galvanising efforts to push the peace process forward.