King Abdullah of Jordan: Israel must waste no more time

King Abdullah warns Israel must respond to regional developments Jordan's King Abdullah II has warned that a stalemate in Arab-Israeli peace efforts would only add to tensions in the Middle East, plunging the region into “the unknown.” Speaking during a meeting with delegates from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee [AIPAC], the King claimed: “Ongoing regional transformations should push the Israeli government into embracing peace and halting unilateral measures which hinder peace efforts,” referring to recent settlement activity and trespassing on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
“No more time should be wasted,” the King said, calling on Palestinians and Israelis alike to re-engage in direct talks aiming towards a two-state solution which, he said, remains the “optimal and only formula” to end the conflict.
Such a solution, he added, must lead to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Majesty, in a statement issued by the Royal Jordanian Office, also indicated that if Israel pursued its present “fortress mentality” and ignored political changes across the Middle East, it would work counter to Israeli interests and leave the country isolated.
King Abdullah asserted that Jordan would proceed with joint efforts to reach a comprehensive peace with regional and international players, underlining the importance of “seizing the opportunity” arising from Palestine’s upgrade at the United Nations to full non-member observer status in November.
His Majesty highlighted the significant role American Jewish organisations can play in pushing forward with peace efforts, as well as the importance of the US as a key supporter throughout the peace process.
AIPAC delegation members reportedly expressed their thanks for King Abdullah’s efforts towards a just and comprehensive peace in the region.