Jordan: Palestinian state on pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital only path to peace

Amman, January 27 (Petra)- Jordan on Tuesday reaffirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace side by side with Israel on the basis of the two-state solution that fulfills the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in accordance with international law, is the only path to a comprehensive and lasting peace.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement following the announcement of the US peace vision that the national interests of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its established and unwavering positions and principles towards the Palestinian issue governs the way in which the government deals with all proposals and initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.

He added that the Palestinian issue is the foremost Arab issue, and that Jordan will coordinate with Palestine and other Arab countries in addressing future developments within Arab consensus. He noted the importance of the extraordinary meeting of the Arab League Foreign Ministers on Saturday in this regard.

Safadi warned against the dangerous consequences of unilateral Israeli measures, such as annexation of Palestinian lands, the building and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian occupied lands and encroachments on the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, that aim at imposing new realities on the ground. He stressed Jordan condemns such measures as a violation of international law and provocative actions that will push the area towards more conflict and tension.

Safadi said that in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Custodian of Muslim and Christians Holy Sites in Jerusalem, will continue to dedicate all its resources to protect Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, preserve the historical and legal status quo and protect their Muslim, Christian identity.

He said the achievement of a just and lasting peace that meets all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people is a strategic Jordanian, Palestinian and Arab choice, and that Jordan will continue to work with Arab countries and the international community for realizing peace that will be lasting, just and people will accept.

Safadi added “Jordan supports every genuine effort aimed at achieving just and comprehensive peace that people will accept, and stressed urgency of launching serious and direct negotiations that solve all final status issues within a comprehensive solution in accordance with established terms of reference, the Arab peace initiative and international law.” He said such a peace is a necessity for the security and stability of the region.

He said the Kingdom seeks “a true, just peace on the basis of the two-state solution that ends the occupation that began in 1967, preserves the rights of the Palestinian people, guarantees the security of all sides, and protects the interests of Jordan, including these related to final status issues.”