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The only way forward

May 16,2020 - Last updated at May 16,2020

His Majesty King Abdullah has reaffirmed Jordan’s firm position that the two-state solution is the only viable way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In a recent interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, His Majesty warned that Israel’s unilateral annexation plan could lead to a “massive conflict” with Jordan, reiterating that the two-state solution “is the only way for us to be able to move forward”.

Jordan has not retreated one iota from its pursuit of Middle East peace and has not budged on the inalienable rights of Palestinians.

At a time when the world is reeling under the grip of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, Israel has bared its intentions to go ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, exacerbating tensions in a volatile region that has already been navigating tumultuous waters prior to the onset of the virus crisis.

Despite the COVID-19 burden, the Kingdom has not ceased in championing the Palestinian cause and challenging unilateral Israeli actions in international fora, in addition to spearheading a slew of meeting with agendas topped by the peace process.

As Palestinians commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Nakbeh, or catastrophe, they continue to experience the harsh facts of occupation, illegal settlement expansions and a land grab, which continue unabated in their homeland.

Over the years, Jordan has staunchly propagated the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, living securely and peacefully alongside an Israeli state in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Bearing in mind the grave consequences of the unilateral Israeli plan, His Majesty said: “Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean. What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region.”

Continuing in the same strain, the King said: “I don't want to make threats and create an atmosphere of loggerheads, but we are considering all options. We agree with many countries in Europe and the international community that the law of strength should not apply in the Middle East.”

Time after time, Jordan has sounded a clarion call urging the revival of the moribund peace process, underscoring the dangers emanating from a one-state solution that would result in an apartheid state.

To prevent a further deterioration of the Palestinian file, the international community must galvanise efforts to end the Israeli occupation and its unabashed defiance of international law, and breathe new life into the peace process based on the two-state solution. 

The time to put an end to more than seven decades of Palestinian suffering is long overdue.

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