Geneva: The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union has expressed strong support for Jordan's custodianship over the holy sites in Jerusalem, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II. This endorsement comes amid concerns over attempts by Israeli authorities to challenge the Hashemite custodianship.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Union's final statement, released at the conclusion of an extraordinary conference in Geneva, emphasized support for the Jordanian Administration of the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque Waqf. The Union highlighted the importance of protecting the Al-Haram Al-Sharif from actions by Israeli authorities and recognized the Hashemite custodianship as a historical right acknowledged by the international community.
The statement expressed firm opposition to any alterations to the legal status of Jerusalem, underscoring the city's importance as a center of religious significance. It also welcomed the recent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, viewing it as a victory for peace and dialogue.
The Union urged Israel to honor the provisions of the Gaza Agreement, including a full withdrawal from the area, and praised the international mediation efforts that facilitated the agreement. It also reiterated its support for establishing an independent Palestinian state through a two-state solution and called for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The statement from the Union also highlighted the necessity for a unified Arab stance in addressing regional developments and challenges. It called for enhanced cooperation to protect collective Arab interests and promote unity.
Senate President Faisal Al-Fayez addressed the conference, discussing the significant challenges facing the Arab world. He emphasized the need for Arab states to avoid becoming battlegrounds for external powers and called for stronger Arab solidarity to resolve conflicts and political crises.
Al-Fayez welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement, commending the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump and other regional leaders in brokering the deal. He called for international support to ensure the agreement's implementation and stressed the importance of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza.
Additionally, Al-Fayez condemned Israeli policies and actions against the Palestinian people and voiced support for efforts by the Arab Parliamentary Union to counter these practices. He also affirmed solidarity with countries like Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, and Libya in their security and stability efforts.
The conference saw participation from various Jordanian senators and representatives, including Ambassador Akram Al-Harashah, reflecting Jordan's active role in addressing regional issues.