His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday affirmed that Jordan will continue its efforts to support the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and bring about peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During a meeting over iftar with key figures and representatives of churches and awqaf from the holy city, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed, chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy to His Majesty, King Abdullah emphasised that safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem will remain a Jordanian priority.

Jordan, His Majesty said, will continue to work in cooperation with the international community and at all forums to protect the holy city's shrines, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The King stressed the need to maintain the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem, reiterating the Kingdom's rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at changing the identity of the city and its holy sites.

His Majesty said peace is a strategic Arab choice reaffirmed by the Amman Summit, based on the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers the most comprehensive framework for achieving a lasting peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, and also ensures Israel’s security and normalised ties with all Arab countries.

The King called for creating real political prospects for progress towards resolving the conflict by launching serious and effective peace talks to realise the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve peace.

The Kingdom, His Majesty said, appreciates US President Donald Trump’s commitment to working towards bringing about peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

In this context, the King stressed that Jordan will do all it can to support President Trump's efforts to achieve a lasting Palestinian-Israeli peace.

His Majesty noted that Trump's recent decision not to move the US embassy to Jerusalem indicates his seriousness and commitment to reaching a peace agreement that would end the conflict.

For their part, the attendees expressed their appreciation of Jordan’s major role, led by the King, in supporting Jerusalemites and protecting the city’s Islamic and Christian holy shrines.

Sheikh Abdul Azim Salhab, who heads the Jerusalem Awqaf Council, said Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif is passing through the most difficult time since the occupation 50 years ago, stressing Jerusalemites’ rejection of Israeli violations against the sanctuary, which target its historical identity.

He thanked His Majesty for his efforts in dealing with these violations on all levels, such as efforts through UNESCO and at other international forums.

Director General of Jerusalem Awqaf and Al Aqsa Affairs Sheikh Azzam Khatib said 2016 and 2017 have been marked by major renovations at Al Haram Al Sharif.

He cited the refurbishment of several mosques at Al Haram Al Sharif, the launch of the fourth phase of the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif Manuscripts Restoration Centre Project, and a number of other initiatives.

Khatib added that the major project is the renovation of the mosaic plates of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, adding that experts have testified that such a project has been unrivalled in the past 500 years.

Church leaders thanked the King for his personal funding of a project to renovate Christ’s Holy Tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 200 years after the last maintenance works were conducted on the site.

They also expressed appreciation of His Majesty’s efforts to protect Jerusalem against frequent violations by the Israeli occupation.

The Jerusalemites said they will work to counter Judaisation attempts that marginalise Palestinians and ban the Muslim call for prayer, undermining chances for peace.

They highlighted Muslim-Christian coexistence in Jerusalem and the shared values among all Palestinians of different faiths.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Awqaf Minister Wael Arabiyat, Chief Islamic Justice Sheikh Abdul Karim Khasawneh, and Grand Mufti Mohammad Khalaileh also attended the meeting.