Jordan's King Abdullah: Israel undermining chances of peace
Abdullah also said that regional stability depends on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the way of a two-state solution.
By ADAM RASGONUpdated: MARCH 29, 2017 14:18Jordan's King Abdullah speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 12, 2016(photo credit: REUTERS)
Jordanian King Abdullah on Wednesday said that Israel is “undermining" the possibility of achieving a peace deal with the Palestinians. “Israel is continuing to expand settlements and undermining the chances of achieving peace,” Abdullah said in a speech before Arab leaders at the 28th Arab League Summit in Jordan.Since the election of US President Donald Trump, Israel has announced the advancement of more than 5,500 settlement units.Jordan"s King Abdullah: We are facing a Third World WarJordan’s government strongly condemned the announcements in early February, saying they provoked "the sentiments of Arab and Muslims."Abdullah also said that regional stability depends on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the way of a two-state solution.Trump surprised Arab leaders on February 15 when he did not specifically commit to the two-state solution.“I’m looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one," Trump said at a White House press conference, standing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.On Wednesday, Abdullah added that any unilateral measures in Jerusalem would be “catastrophic,” declaring that Jordan is committed to fighting against changes to the status quo.The Palestinian leadership has accused Israel of undertaking unilateral measures on the Temple Mount, as the number of Jews praying at the holy site has increased in the past several years.Meanwhile, Israel holds that is fully committed to the status quo on the Temple Mount.
Arab leaders are speaking before the Arab League Summit throughout Wednesday on a variety of issues confronting the Arab world including the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian crisis, and the Yemenite civil war.