The Jordanian king commended the steadfastness of Jerusalem’s Arab residents, saying: “We are with you forever and you will triumph over all the challenges before you.”
Abdullah emphasized the need for repeated attacks on churches, monks and properties in Jerusalem to stop, attributing blame to Israel for the phenomenon of vandalism and harassment that reportedly has increased in recent months.
“It is the duty of every Muslim to deter Israeli escalations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem,” the Jordanian king said.
Abdullah’s statement fell during the Muslim month of Ramadan and just before the start of the Passover and Easter holidays. There is heightened concern about the potential for religious violence, after a year of growing tensions between Israel and Palestinian representatives, and as all three religious holidays coincide.
Abdullah emphasized the Hashemite Kingdom’s claim to custodial oversight of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, known to Muslims as al-Haram, al-Sharif. Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound – which is Islam’s third holiest site.
Abdullah also stated his commitment to the forming of an independent Palestinian state. He said that steps to improve economic and humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories should not detract from the Palestinian right to self-determination.
Abbas thanked the king for inviting Muslim and Christian leaders from Jerusalem to Amman, saying that it was part of the continuous “brotherly” relationship between “the Palestinian people” and Jordan.
No comments:
Post a Comment