Jordan rejects US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, yesterday said America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would frustrate peace efforts and provoke Muslims and Christians across the Arab world.

“Jordan rejects [the] decision and all its implications and will continue to work for an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Mr Safadi said.

King Abdullah II added his voice in support of Palestinians “preserving their historical and legal status in Jerusalem”, with East Jerusalem as their capital.

During talks at the Basman Palace yesterday, attended by Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said US president Donald Trump’s decision was a breach of international law.

The king called for intensified efforts to safeguard the rights of Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in Jerusalem, and said the international rejection of the US decision must serve as a foundation to avert unilateral steps that might be taken by other states.

King Abdullah and Mr Abbas stressed the importance of coordinating the Arab. He urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and take a supportive and firm stance.

“The issue of Jerusalem should be settled within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital living in peace and security alongside Israel,” he said.

With Mr Abbas, he affirmed that any tampering with the historical and legal status of Jerusalem is null and void and would lead only to more tension and violence in the region and the world.

King Abdullah has been lobbying world leaders to counter any attempt by Israel to change the status quo in the holy city or to discard the proposed twostate solution.

Also present at the talks were Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad, the king’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, the prime minister, the chief of the royal court chief, the foreign minister and the director of the king’s office.

With Mr Abbas were the secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, a member of the central committee of Fatah, the head of Palestinian intelligence and the Palestinian ambassador to Jordan.

“[The decision] puts us in a very dangerous situation, all of us,” Mr Safadi said. “Peace in the Middle East is key to all of our interests. And, therefore, we need to all work together on peace.”

As King Abdullah and Mr Abbas were meeting, at least 500 Jordanians demonstrated in front of the US embassy in Amman, chanting anti-American slogans, demanding the closure of the US and Israeli embassies and waving placards that read: “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine.”

“We reject this decision. Jerusalem is the Arab capital of Palestine and we call on countries with peace treaties with Israel to annul them,” said Maysoon Momani, 55, a teacher and leftwing activist. Others called for the 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Israel to be cancelled.

The embassy temporarily suspended routine public services amid fears of protests that could turn violent.

Small protests erupted in other parts of Jordan, including Palestinian camps, but bigger demonstrations are expected after prayers today.

Despite Jordan’s anger at the Trump government’s move, it is unlikely that it will affect bilateral ties.

“It is important to realise that Trump’s move was unilateral and not one that was adopted internationally,” said Amer Sabaileh, a political analyst and director of Middle East Media and Political Studies Institute, a think tank with an office in Amman.

“Therefore, Jerusalem remains an international issue with a Christian and Muslim heritage, which means that there is room to rally international support and co-operate with countries who are opposed to Trump’s move, like the Vatican.”