Jerusalem24 – Al-Mamlaka – Jordan’s King Abdullah II gave a speech in New York on Monday at a ceremony to receive the Path to Peace Award, during which he reaffirmed Jordanian custodianship over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the custodian of the holy site since 1924.
Our journey on the road to peace must pass through the city of Jerusalem…
“Our journey on the road to peace must pass through the city of Jerusalem, as it holds a special place in the hearts of millions around the world.”
The monarch stated that Jerusalem is key to peace and stability, and that preserving the historical and legal status quo at the Islamic and Christian holy sites was a prerequisite for peace, harmony, and freedom of worship.
He further warned that undermining this status quo would inevitably lead to an escalation of tension and anger.
He called on the international community to help Palestinian and Israeli parties to resume work aimed at “ending the conflict” in order to achieve a “just and lasting peace that provides a future of hope”. He reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to the two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
