Jordanian King: Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict requires the international community to abandon "illusions"
New York, 22 Sep (KUNA) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II said on Tuesday that reaching a solution to the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israeli occupation requires the international community to abandon "illusions" about the reality in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as the position of the Israeli government regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The King made these remarks in a speech delivered before the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
King Abdullah stated that the first of these "illusions" is the belief that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are separate issues, considering them instead as "two fronts of a single Israeli strategy" aimed at changing the reality on the ground.
He added that the belief that the current Israeli government's refusal to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state is a position that could change is "another illusion," citing the accelerating pace of settlement expansion and land confiscation.
The Jordanian monarch reminded the audience of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, stating that "the obstacle for more than 20 years has not been the absence of a peace partner, but rather the absence of an Israeli government willing to accept the peace offer contained in the initiative."
Regarding the Gaza Strip, King Abdullah said that the Israeli government continues its attacks, destroys civilian infrastructure, and refuses to withdraw, while Palestinians face increasing restrictions on the space available to them. He characterized this as an attempt to "erase the Palestinian presence and impose a new geographical reality in Gaza."
He also warned about the developments in the West Bank, stating that what is happening there is no longer merely an escalation but represents a "fundamental shift," with what was previously a gradual encroachment having transformed into a "more aggressive" reality.
The Jordanian monarch addressed the developments in Syria, warning against repeated incursions, expansion, and the imposition of new facts on the ground, including those concerning vital water resources.
He affirmed that any threat to Jordan's northern borders or its water security constitutes a threat to its national security, emphasizing that his country will protect its security, water resources, and the interests of its people.
In conclusion, King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to a just peace and its continued support for the resilience of the Palestinian people, stressing his country's pursuit of a principled, open, and steadfast approach amid rapidly changing international dynamics. (End)
