Secretary-General of the National People’s Congress for Jerusalem, Maj. Gen. Bilal Natsheh, said Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites is “unwavering and binding to Israel according to the law and the agreements concluded in this regard.” Natsheh noted Israel’s violations encroach Jordan’s role in Al-Aqsa Mosque and related red lines that deem this holy site an exclusive property of Muslims. In an interview with “Petra” on Sunday, he said Israeli-imposed restrictions on arrival of worshipers to Jerusalem on Ramadan’s first Friday fall within framework of Israel’s breach of all international conventions and norms. Respect for Hashemite custodianship requires “concrete” measures on the ground, especially in Ramadan, in which Palestinian come for Jerusalem to worship , he pointed out. In addition, he appreciated Jordan’s “firm” position based on the fact that East Jerusalem is an occupied land, and sovereignty over it belongs to Palestinians. Hashemite custodianship aims to protect the holy city in accordance with international law and resolutions, he said Natsheh also “highly” appreciated Jordan’s permanent assertion that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. This reality is subject to international law, based on int’l legitimacy resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 478, which stipulates that Israel’s decision to annex East Jerusalem and declaring it the unified capital is an invalid step, he pointed out. He lauded Jordan’s “strong” position, which considers East Jerusalem the capital of the future Palestinian state on June 4, 1967 borders, adding that all unilateral Israeli measures, primarily settlement activities, land confiscation, displacement or changing Jerusalem’s character, are actions that violate international law.
Source: Jordan News Agency
