Fiatlux Redux

2006-02-03

Genevieve Cora Fraser

Views from Jordan re Israeli-Palestine Conflict

_________________________________

GAZA, Palestine, January 18, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - King Abdullah II of Jordan confirmed during his meeting with an American delegation for External Affairs that there would not be security and stability in the Middle East without the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.

Abdullah stressed that the Palestinian people should have the right to establish their independent state, as a common interest for the Jordanian and Palestinians; asserting that there will be no security in the region without accomplishing the Palestinian rights.

Abdullah called on the international community to exert utmost efforts in the coming two years to support the birth of a Palestinian state, asserting that the world should support the efforts exerted by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and President Mahmoud Abbas to enforce law and order in the Palestinian territories to accomplish the Palestinians hopes and ambitions.

He also demanded the Israeli side and the Palestinians' to return to negotiations' table as the only way to push the peace process forward, or else the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip will be the last step in the negotiations process; expressing his hope that the PLC and Israeli elections come out with leaders that will work for peace.

He said that the world should assist the PNA to improve the economic situation in the occupied territories to create job opportunities for the unemployed.

On the other hand, Abdullah warned during his meeting with the American delegation of an Israeli plan to evacuate the Arab Christians from Jerusalem City because of the ongoing emigration.

Abdullah stressed the importance of the mutual cooperation between the Jordanian churches and the catholic churches in the occupied Jerusalem to stop the ongoing emigration from Jerusalem.

"The European churches should encourage and support Arab Christians' existence in the occupied Jerusalem to protect its historical identity as the cradle of the three religions." Abdullah affirmed.

On his part, Patriarch Michel Sabbah confirmed his support to the Arab Christians live in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Sabbah said that his late visit to the occupied Jerusalem and Jordan was to shed the light on the Arab-Christians' situation in the two states.

http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13008

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King Abdullah urges Christian leaders to stand together to protect Jerusalem Jordan Times - 18/01/2006 His Majesty King Abdullah receives a delegation representing Christian religious leaders from Europe and the US on Tuesday (Photo by Yousef Allan)

AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday called for a unified stance between churches in the Holy Land and their Western counterparts in order to face up to the challenges facing Jerusalem and its Christian Arab residents.

At a meeting with a delegation representing Christian religious leaders from Europe and the US, the King urged the churches to meet regularly to assess ways to protect Jerusalem and its Christian Arab citizens, warning against attempts to depopulate the Holy City of its residents and strip away its identity.

Over 50 Catholic bishops and other church leaders from North America and Europe are currently in the region on a solidarity mission with Christians in the Holy Land.

The senior clergymen, who represent a bishops' council that coordinates the affairs of Catholic churches in Europe and the US, arrived in Amman yesterday from Palestine where they engaged in several activities related to their mission.

King Abdullah acquainted the religious leaders with Jordan's efforts to promote religious tolerance and coexistence, citing the Amman Message, which Jordan released in 2004 in an effort to spell out the true spirit of Islam.

Bishop William Skylstad, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised King Abdullah's peace efforts and his persistent endeavours to launch and support dialogue between the followers of the three monotheistic religions.

He also commended Jordan's Constitution, which guarantees religious freedoms in the Kingdom.

Skylstad renewed the council's commitment to support churches in Jordan and the Holy Land and its efforts to promote peace and understanding among the faithful from the three religions.

Also Tuesday, the bishops visited Christian holy sites in the Kingdom.

The bishops were also scheduled to meet yesterday with key local Christian figures for a briefing on the history of Jordanian Christians' contribution to the political, cultural and economic life of the country. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=122108

			2006-02-03 Genevieve Cora Fraser Views from Jordan re Israeli-Palestine Conflict _________________________________ GAZA, Palestine, January 18, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - King Abdullah II of Jordan confirmed during his meeting with an American delegation for External Affairs that there would not be security and stability in the Middle East without the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. Abdullah stressed that the Palestinian people should have the right to establish their independent state, as a common interest for the Jordanian and Palestinians; asserting that there will be no security in the region without accomplishing the Palestinian rights. Abdullah called on the international community to exert utmost efforts in the coming two years to support the birth of a Palestinian state, asserting that the world should support the efforts exerted by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and President Mahmoud Abbas to enforce law and order in the Palestinian territories to accomplish the Palestinians hopes and ambitions. He also demanded the Israeli side and the Palestinians' to return to negotiations' table as the only way to push the peace process forward, or else the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip will be the last step in the negotiations process; expressing his hope that the PLC and Israeli elections come out with leaders that will work for peace. He said that the world should assist the PNA to improve the economic situation in the occupied territories to create job opportunities for the unemployed. On the other hand, Abdullah warned during his meeting with the American delegation of an Israeli plan to evacuate the Arab Christians from Jerusalem City because of the ongoing emigration. Abdullah stressed the importance of the mutual cooperation between the Jordanian churches and the catholic churches in the occupied Jerusalem to stop the ongoing emigration from Jerusalem. "The European churches should encourage and support Arab Christians' existence in the occupied Jerusalem to protect its historical identity as the cradle of the three religions." Abdullah affirmed. On his part, Patriarch Michel Sabbah confirmed his support to the Arab Christians live in the occupied city of Jerusalem. Sabbah said that his late visit to the occupied Jerusalem and Jordan was to shed the light on the Arab-Christians' situation in the two states. http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13008 ------------------------ King Abdullah urges Christian leaders to stand together to protect Jerusalem Jordan Times - 18/01/2006 His Majesty King Abdullah receives a delegation representing Christian religious leaders from Europe and the US on Tuesday (Photo by Yousef Allan) AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday called for a unified stance between churches in the Holy Land and their Western counterparts in order to face up to the challenges facing Jerusalem and its Christian Arab residents. At a meeting with a delegation representing Christian religious leaders from Europe and the US, the King urged the churches to meet regularly to assess ways to protect Jerusalem and its Christian Arab citizens, warning against attempts to depopulate the Holy City of its residents and strip away its identity. Over 50 Catholic bishops and other church leaders from North America and Europe are currently in the region on a solidarity mission with Christians in the Holy Land. The senior clergymen, who represent a bishops' council that coordinates the affairs of Catholic churches in Europe and the US, arrived in Amman yesterday from Palestine where they engaged in several activities related to their mission. King Abdullah acquainted the religious leaders with Jordan's efforts to promote religious tolerance and coexistence, citing the Amman Message, which Jordan released in 2004 in an effort to spell out the true spirit of Islam. Bishop William Skylstad, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised King Abdullah's peace efforts and his persistent endeavours to launch and support dialogue between the followers of the three monotheistic religions. He also commended Jordan's Constitution, which guarantees religious freedoms in the Kingdom. Skylstad renewed the council's commitment to support churches in Jordan and the Holy Land and its efforts to promote peace and understanding among the faithful from the three religions. Also Tuesday, the bishops visited Christian holy sites in the Kingdom. The bishops were also scheduled to meet yesterday with key local Christian figures for a briefing on the history of Jordanian Christians' contribution to the political, cultural and economic life of the country. http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=122108
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