Day: April 21, 2022

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday received members of the Arab League’s ministerial committee tasked with galvanising international action to counter illegal Israeli measures in Jerusalem.

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, King Abdullah stressed the need to unify, coordinate, and step up Arab efforts to halt escalations in Jerusalem, reiterating the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and safeguard the rights of Muslim worshippers.

His Majesty reaffirmed that Jordan continues all efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The King expressed appreciation for Arab leaders’ stances in calling for calm in the Palestinian Territories, and in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, as well as the Hashemite Custodianship.

His Majesty urged further efforts to prevent the recurrence of any form of escalation.

The King was briefed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on the committee’s emergency meeting held in Amman to discuss means to counter the Israeli escalation at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and galvanise joint action to halt Israeli violations at holy sites, end the violence, and restore calm.

The committee is chaired by Jordan and includes Tunisia, the president of the Arab League’s current cycle, in addition to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco.

The meeting, convened by Jordan and held with the participation of the Arab League’s secretary general, also included the attendance of the United Arab Emirates, as the Arab country which is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Source: Jordan News Agency

“There is an absence of a real horizon for any progress towards a just and comprehensive peace for which we are all working to achieve. This has always been a perquisite to stop the occupation and establish the independent Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 lines, on the basis of international law, Arab Peace Initiative and the references approved to end this conflict and make progress.”

The absence of this political horizon is “very dangerous and its consequences are catastrophic, and we all agreed to work to take all available steps to protect Jerusalem and the holy sites,” he pointed out.

Safadi said Jordan’s moves to ensure respect for the historical and legal status quo in Al-Aqsa Mosque – Al-Haram Al-Sharif did not stop, to preserve Jerusalem’s holy sites and their Arab, Islamic and Christian identity.

In addition, Safadi noted Jordan’s steps are “continuing,” referring to the efforts made over the past weeks, and the contacts made by His Majesty with the heads of states and coordination with Arab leaders in the region.

Coordination is continuing with the region’s FMs aimed to achieve the common goal, which is respecting the historical and legal status of Jerusalem’s sanctities, stopping attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque – Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and halting violations on its yards and all escalatory measures, he noted.

“We have a clear position in condemning and rejecting escalation to restore the comprehensive calm that we all want to remind the world once again that the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories cannot be sustained,” he said.

The FM called on all parties to work “intensively” to find a real political horizon that re-launches a serious peace process that will achieve the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

Safadi added:” The next ten days are sensitive, and we hope that non-Muslims will not be admitted to Al-Aqsa Mosque now as a step on the right path towards respecting the historical and legal status quo in all days of the year, to prevent facing the outbreak of the situation in every Ramadan and at all times.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammad Ississ, said the Jordanian government has followed a policy aimed to avoid raising the citizen’s tax burden and focusing on boosting gov’t revenues by fighting tax and customs evasion and avoidance in “a more equitable” tax treatment.

This approach is implemented, especially since the tax burden should not be hiked on the committed taxpayers, while other categories fail to fulfil their national duty, the minister noted.

This came during Ississ’s participation in a dialogue session held by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington Wednesday, entitled “Jordan: Great Expectations: Achieving Fiscal Discipline With Social Protection in Uncertain Times.”

Ississ was chosen as the only minister representing the Middle East in this IMF ” Governor Talk,” due to Jordanian government’s success in maintaining financial and macro stability during the harshest conditions, according to the IMF Director Middle East and Central Asia Department, Jihad Azour, who hosted and moderated the session, as part of the during the IMF-World Bank 2022 Spring Meetings, in Washington, DC.

Ississ indicated that the government’s financial and economic reform program, carried out in cooperation with the IMF is on the “right” track, as it has freedom of its economic decisions.

The government adopted these reforms after a scientific analysis that these structural reforms will unleash economic growth leading to job creation for Jordan’s ambitious youth who are able to advance the Kingdom’s national economy, he noted.

The government’s policy in combating tax and customs evasion came in response to the population’s demands for “equitable tax treatment and for everybody to pay their fair share”, instead of raising tax rates as previous programmes with previous programmes. The result was that Jordan was been able to exceed the domestic revenue targeted specified in its 2021 General Budget, he pointed out.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The emergency meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee in charge of international action to confront illegal Israeli policies and measures in the occupied city of Jerusalem, which was held in Amman Thursday, headed by Jordan, rejected any attack on Jerusalem’s holy sites, or changing their identity, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, said.

In a joint press conference held with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riyad al-Maliki, Safadi noted the emergency meeting went over the dangerous Israeli escalation in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The discussions also touched on ways to de-escalate tensions to protect the city’s holy sites and guarantee the worshippers’ freedom to practice their religious rites in the holy month of Ramadan “freely and without restrictions, Safadi noted.

The meeting also sought to stop the violence and restore calm that all parties worked intensively to reach, Safadi pointed out.

Continuing:” The Arab countries have critical period to the end of Ramadan and our demands are clear in stopping attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, respecting the existing legal and historical status quo in Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and halting all practices that undermine this situation and constitute an attack on the mosque and worshipers.”

Today’s meeting reflected the fact that occupied Jerusalem and its sanctities belong to Arab and Islamic world, which doesn’t accept any aggression against these holy sites, or any attempt to change its Arab, Islamic and Christian identity, Safadi pointed out.

During the past few days, all parties made “intensive” efforts to restore peace to Jerusalem and to enable worshipers to carry out their religious rites without restrictions or conditions, he said.

“Our demands were clear to stop attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and respect the existing historical and legal status quo that preceded the year 2000, where Al-Aqsa Mosque – Al-Haram Al-Sharif in its entirety is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and non-Muslims’ visit to its compounds is made under management of Jordan-run Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem, he noted.

If these demands are achieved, this achievement will contribute to restoring calm and stopping the tension and violence that harms civilians and the brotherly Palestinian people and preventing them from carrying out their religious duties during Ramadan, Safdai pointed out.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Arab Ministerial Committee in charge of international action to confront illegal Israeli policies and measures in the occupied city of Jerusalem on Thursday discussed means to address the “dangerous Israeli escalation” in the al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif compound and joint action to stop the Israeli attacks and violations of the holy sites, end violence and restore the comprehensive calm.

In a closing statement, the committee stressed the role of the Hashemite Custodianship, under His Majesty King Abdullah II, in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and the historical and legal status quo. It also underlined the need to remove all restrictions and obstacles that impede the Waqf (endowments) Administration from managing and preserving the compound.

The committee, chaired by Jordan, includes Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and the Secretary-General of the Arab League.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the committee, gave a briefing on the dangerous Israeli escalation in Jerusalem, condemning the attempts to change the historical and legal status quo and restrict the freedom of worshipers. He also highlighted efforts to stop the escalation, end the cycle of violence and restore calm.

The committee denounced the Israeli attacks and violations against worshipers in the al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif compound, which have gravely escalated over the past few days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, leading to hundreds of injuries and arrests among worshipers, and severe damage to the facilities of the holy mosque.

It also warned that these attacks and violations are a blatant provocation against Muslims everywhere that undermine the freedom of worship in the al-Aqsa Mosque and worshippers’ freedom of access to it. These attacks threaten to ignite a cycle of violence that threatens security and stability in the region and the world, the committee underscored.

The committee rejected all illegal Israeli practices aimed at changing the legal and historical status quo in the al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif, and any attempt to impose temporal and spatial division. It condemned these practices as a “flagrant violation of international law, and of Israel’s responsibilities as the occupying power.”

It called on Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo in the al-Aqsa Mosque and return to the status quo before 2000, in a manner that guarantees respect for the fact that the compound, in its entire area of 144 dunums, is purely a place of worship for Muslims and that the Jordanian-run Waqf (endowments) and al-Aqsa Affairs Administration in Jerusalem manages the visits of non-Muslims as the legal authority that has exclusive jurisdiction to run all the affairs of the holy site and organize entry to and exit from the compound.

It also called on the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, to take immediate and effective action to stop the illegal and provocative Israeli practices in Jerusalem and the al-Haram al-Sharif to protect the international law and the UN Charter, prevent an escalation of violence, maintain security and peace as part of its responsibilities and implement resolutions related to the city of East Jerusalem, including resolutions 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 476 and 478 (1980) and 2334 (2016).

The committee underlined importance of continuing the coordination of efforts between the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to protect the occupied city of Jerusalem, preserve its Arab, Islamic and Christian identity, and increase Arab and Islamic institutional work to support of Jerusalem and the Jerusalemites.

Moreover, the committee expressed its full support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, its leadership and institutions to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites, especially the al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif and their right to freedom and an independent and sovereign state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two state solution under the international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.

It called on Israel to stop its practices and aggressions in the occupied Palestinian territories, lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, stop all measures that threaten security and peace and undermine the two-state solution and the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, which is an Arab strategic choice, and a regional and international need.

Additionally, it warned of the catastrophic consequences of the continued absence of political prospects and the economic pressure on the Palestinian people and the State of Palestine.

It called for upping regional and international efforts to restore and maintain a comprehensive calm, and to re-launch serious and effective negotiations that restore confidence in the feasibility of the peace process, placing it on a clear path towards a negotiated solution based on the two-state solution, that ends the occupation and establishes an independent and sovereign Palestinian state that lives in security and peace alongside Israel, as the only way to end the conflict and achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

The committee tasked its members and the Secretary-General of the Arab League, in coordination with the Arab states, with joint action and contacting the international community and international bodies to explain the danger posed by Israeli practices in Jerusalem and its holy sites, and pushing for an effective international position to discourage Israel from these practices, and bind it to respect international law and restore comprehensive calm.

Source: Jordan News Agency

In implementation of His Majesty King Abdullah II’ directives, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, on Thursday, announced the launch of a package of developmental Royal initiatives in northern Jerash governorate.

The announcement was made during a meeting by Issawi, who is also head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of the Royal initiatives, with a number of the governorate’s dignitaries and representatives of youth and women’s activities.

The initiatives included construction of 100 housing units for underprivileged families, selected according to criteria approved by the Ministry of Social Development and establishment of a factory in the governorate, which will contribute to providing 200-400 job opportunities, with transport services provided.

The initiatives also include development of Jerash Sports Complex to become an integrated sportive center to attract youth talents, establishing and equipping a health center in Jerash’s Migbleh village, 8kms north of Jerash city, and constructing a new building for the Nahleh Basic School for Boys, according to the highest technical specifications.

Issawi said this meeting came under direct Royal directives to get acquainted with Jerash citizens’ demands and needs, adding that Royal projects and initiatives, which were announced, will be implemented according to a plan linked to timetables and “close” field follow-up from Royal Hashemite Court.

In the future, he said Jerash governorate will have see implementation of Royal initiatives in various “vital and development” sectors, in line with the northern city’s priorities and needs, affirming Royal initiatives are complementary to the government’s plans and programmes.

Issawi referred to the King’s keenness to listen to Jordanian people’s demands and development and service needs, seen in His Majesty’s field visits to various regions, to learn about their conditions and challenges facing their citizens.

In addition, he said achieving sustainable development, with its economic and social dimensions, is at the forefront of His Majesty’s priorities, to meet the citizens’ aspirations.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Saudi Arabia transferred the 4th $50 million-worth tranche of the $250 million grant it had pledged to Jordan’s general budget under the 2018 Mecca Summit.

Acting Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Yousef Shamali and Saudi Ambassador Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi made the announcement Thursday during a press briefing.

Shamali lauded the deep-rooted relations between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which were established His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. He underlined Jordan’s ongoing commitment to strengthen and develop ties at various levels to serve the two countries’ peoples.

He also stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia’s support for development, which has enabled the Jordanian government to implement top priority development projects and address economic and financial challenges that resulted from hosting Syrian refugees and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He commended Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support to Jordan over the years of “robust and distinguished ties,” and its $1.25 billion contribution to the Mecca Summit pledges, which aim at implementing strategic and top priority projects in various sectors.

Shamali highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the Jordanian government’s efforts to provide the necessary services to Syrian refugees and host communities, by providing grants totaling $130 million. The grants financed a number of projects in the health, education, water and sanitation and roads fields, he noted.

He pointed to the role of the Saudi Fund for Development in implementing development projects in key sectors, including soft loans that financed 19 economic and social projects, worth about $545 million, in the years 1975- 2021.

He underscored the importance of joint Arab action to address the major challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, global food security and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which have an impact on global development efforts that aim at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

There is a need to focus on regional projects in the fields of energy, water, environment, food security, and transportation, he indicated, stressing the need to activate regional cooperation agreements to turn these challenges into opportunities that help governments provide a better, dignified and sustainable life for their citizens.

For his part, the envoy underlined that the transfer of the 4th tranche is part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stand by Jordan, noting that the Jordanian economy is durable and capable of growth despite the challenges it, and other countries in the region, has faced over the past decade.

He pointed to Jordan’s ability to adapt and minimize negative effects, citing positive economic indicators including credit ratings from international rating agencies.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Saudi- Jordanian Investment Fund (SJIF) on Thursday held its 5th annual General Assembly meeting, remotely.

According to a SJIF statement, the meeting, which was chaired by the SJIF’s Chairman, Hisham Attar, and stakeholders, reviewed development of the company’s business and its 2022 plans, which will sees announcement of investment projects and exploration of more investment opportunities in various “vital and strategic” sectors.

Addressing the meeting, Attar stressed the SJIF’s commitment to “actively” contribute to supporting Jordanian economy’s growth by launching long-term investment projects in strategic sectors that have a sustainable economic and development impact.

Attar also stressed that this pledge reflects insight of the two countries’ leaderships and embodies Saudi Arabia 2030’s vision and the SJIF’s strategy to enhance joint economic and investment cooperation.

In addition, Attar pointed to SJIF’s investment mid last year in OpenSooq, a leading mobile classifieds marketplace in the region, as the investment aimed at supporting OpenSooq’s plans for expansion in the regional market.

Attar indicated that SJIF is currently in the final stages of signing agreements with the Jordanian government and international partners, to implement its USD 400 million healthcare project, which will consist of a general academic hospital that includes 300 beds.

The agreements will also launch a medical university with a total capacity of 600 students, and a projected annual student intake of 100 students, Attar announced.

On future plans, he noted the company is looking at a number of projects and investment opportunities in vital sectors, including infrastructure, tourism, education, and energy, among others.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Pleasant spring weather conditions are forecast to prevail countrywide on Thursday despite a slight rise in mercury levels, with northwesterly moderate winds, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said in its daily update.

Another rise in temperatures is expected on Friday and Saturday, becoming 4-6 degrees above annual average. Therefore, the weather during the weekend will be dry and hot in most regions, with high-altitude clouds and southeasterly moderate to brisk winds.

Mercury in Amman today will range between a high of 23 degrees Celsius and a low of 10C at night, while the port city of Aqaba will see a high of 30C, sliding to 19C at night.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Twelve local companies specializing in food on Wednesday kicked off their participation in the 17th edition of the SIAL Canada 2022, the largest food innovation trade show in North America.

The Jordanian participation in the three-day exhibition is facilitated by the Jordanian Exporters Association (JEA), with the support of the Ministry of Investment. Companies are categorized as those specialized in food, sweets, chocolate, coffee and healthy food products.

In a statement, JEA President Ahmad Khudari said that the event represents an opportunity for Jordanian companies to promote their products and meet new trading partners, especially after two years of absence of participation in such exhibitions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Canadian market is full of promising opportunities for Jordanian products, thanks to the high quality of these products and the Canada–Jordan Free Trade Agreement (CJFTA) which has been in force since October 2012,” he added, calling on the participating companies to take advantage of the available opportunities.

Khudari noted that during the two days preceding the start of the fair, the JEA organized an integrated marketing program for the participating Jordanian companies on the Canadian market and their trade opportunities, in cooperation with the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada.

“The program also focused on promoting Jordanian companies and their products to Canadian importers at the TFO’s social media platforms, conducting separate talks for each company with Canadian importers, and organizing tours to learn more about the Canadian market,” he added.

SIAL Canada is an international trade fair for food, and an entryway to the US, Canadian and international markets. It brings together more than 1,200 international exhibitors from 50 countries, offering a complete range of food and beverage products.

Source: Jordan News Agency