Amman, Nov. 4 (Petra) — His Majesty the King said Jordan stands firmly in defense of holy sites in Jerusalem, and vehemently rejects any change of the status quo at the Haram al Sharif Mosque compound.
Welcoming a delegation from Jerusalem, King Abdullah said Jordan stands by the Arabs in the holy city and supports their steadfastness in the face of Israeli violations against the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Haram al Sharif compound.
He told the delegation from the Jerusalem Waqf, the Religious Endowment that administers Al Aqsa Mosque, and other Islamic and Christian figures from the holy city, that Jordan will continue to carry out its role towards Jerusalem at the political and religious levels.
He saluted the Arabs of Jerusalem, who have been facing challenges for quite some time, not just in the past months.
Nothing had changed in Jordan’s position that advocates maintaining the status quo that had been in place before the 1967 occupation of the city, the king said.
He said Jordan could pursue its diplomatic and legal options, but will monitor what’s going on the ground and how far Israel’s prime minister is committed to keeping the status quo.
He said Jordan is in contact and coordination with Western nations, which are ready to work with the Kingdom in this endeavor.
Commenting on a proposal to install surveillance cameras at Al Aqsa Mosque and the holy compound to monitor Israel’s compliance, the King said the cameras are a Jordanian project that will be carried out through the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and in cooperation with our Palestinian brothers on the ground.
King Abdullah explained that the installation of the cameras will take about six weeks.
He also said Jordan is looking into the prospect of returning Palestinians and Israelis to the negotiation table to find a final solution to the Palestinian issue.
Source: Petra.gov.jo
