Amman, Jordan – Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh of Jordan expressed grave concerns about the ongoing violence in the region, attributing it to the lack of progress towards establishing a Palestinian state.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khasawneh warned that the absence of a political solution for the Palestinian issue is escalating violence and could lead to greater conflicts. He highlighted the recent war in Gaza, which saw over 13,000 Palestinian civilian casualties, including 5,000 children, as a stark example of the crisis.
Khasawneh emphasized King Abdullah’s efforts to halt the Israeli offensive in Gaza, especially poignant as it coincided with World Child Protection Day. He also pointed out the moral stance of the Arab League in condemning civilian targeting, emphasizing that Palestinian lives hold equal value to those of any other civilians. The Prime Minister noted that King Abdullah’s diplomatic movements have been rooted in this moral perspective, advocating for the protection of civilians under international law and humanitarian rules of war.
The Jordanian leader criticized the perceived immunity granted to Israel, accusing it of violating international laws and treaties, particularly in targeting hospitals and health workers during the Gaza conflict. He lamented the lack of global action against these violations, contrasting it with likely responses if another country were responsible.
Khasawneh also discussed the recent developments led by King Abdullah that have resulted in a shift in the stance of many countries and permanent members of the Security Council. This shift led to a UN Security Council resolution for a humanitarian truce, a prisoner swap, and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. He warned that the ongoing stalemate and lack of political solution, for which he holds Israel greatly responsible, will only lead to a repetition of the current situation in Gaza.
Highlighting the situation in the West Bank, Khasawneh stressed that escalations, including Jewish settler violence and Israeli violations of Islamic and Christian sites, are red lines for Jordan. He warned that any Israeli forced displacement of Palestinians from the West Bank would be considered a declaration of war against Jordan, as it would violate the peace agreement and threaten Jordan’s national security.
The Prime Minister also spoke on Jordan’s strategic commitment to peace and its methodology in dealing with the events in Gaza and the West Bank. He mentioned that any evident breach of the Jordanian-Israeli peace agreement by Israel would open up multiple possibilities for Jordan’s response.
Khasawneh concluded by discussing Jordan’s efforts to address its water scarcity issues, including the upcoming national water carrier project from the Gulf of Aqaba to northern Jordan, expected to meet the country’s water needs until 2043. This project, anticipated to reach a significant stage by December 4, is a critical component of Jordan’s national strategy.