Jordan, Italy lawmakers reaffirm stance on Palestinian cause

AMMAN — The Palestinian cause is currently at a crucial stage as it faces its hardest challenge yet, the head of the Lower House Palestine Committee Yahya Saud said on Thursday.

Saud's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the Senate of the Italian Republic and MPs from the Freedom and Justice Party during a committee visit to Rome, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Palestinian cause will remain the top priority for Jordan, and Jerusalem will remain a red line, Saud said, reaffirming the rejection of all attempts to change the holy city’s status quo. 

Saud and several committee members noted that the occupation of 1948 allowed Israel to control 78 per cent of Palestinian territory, driving Palestinians out of their homes, turning them into refugees. 

For his part, committee member Saud Abu Mahfooz said that the relocation of certain embassies to Jerusalem in line with US-Israeli policies is a flagrant violation of the international laws and regulations and Palestinian rights.

For their part, the Italian lawmakers voiced appreciation for Jordan's stance, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, to defend the Palestinian cause, highlighting His Majesty's pivotal role in seeking comprehensive and just peace in the region.

They also said that the Italian government will perform its role in achieving peace in the region, voicing their support for the Palestinian people and their right to statehood, Petra reported. 

Also on Thursday, Head of the Lower House's Foreign Affairs Committee Nidal Taani discussed the importance of boosting relations with European countries during a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Jordan Fabio Cassese.

During the meeting at the Lower House, Taani said that the Jordanian-Italian bilateral relations are historic, describing them as “unique” and capable of expanding through cooperation in political, economic, touristic, parliamentary and cultural fields, urging more investment from Italy to Jordan in light of the Kingdom’s stability. 

The head of the committee also called upon cooperation from the international community in order to aid the Palestinian cause and help Palestinians receive their legitimate rights, as this is the only way to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. This involves an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution and international resolutions. 

He called for an international march to prevent the construction and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and to avert all unilateral decisions that aim at changing the status quo in Jerusalem.

For his part, the Italian ambassador voiced appreciation for Jordan's regional and international role, highlighting the diplomatic and parliamentary importance of dealing with such cases of mutual interest.

He said that Italy supports the European Union’s stance towards the Palestinian cause, which is based on respecting human rights and international resolutions on the matter.

Cassese said that the recent visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Jordan has resulted in many positive outcomes that benefit both countries across many fields. 

As for economic relations, the ambassador said that there is interest to stimulate investment in Jordan through a forum that was held in Amman with Italian participation in the Amman Chamber of Commerce, one result of which is a Jordanian delegation visiting Italy to promote Jordan and acquaint businesspeople there with available investment opportunities in the Kingdom.