Jordan slams Israel for Palestinian deaths, urges world intervention
Amman accuses Israel of human rights violations, warns of repercussions for further violence; PA seeks UN protection
Jordan on Friday issued a strong condemnation over the deaths of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli security forces in the ongoing violence, branding it a violation of human rights and urging international intervention.
Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani expressed outrage at the killing and wounding of many Palestinians at the hands of what he called “ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people,” the Jordanian news agency Petra reported.
Momani said that the killing of Palestinian citizens was one in a series of Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. He attributed the violence to “the occupying power in the West Bank and Gaza,” Israel Radio reported.
The minister, who also serves as government spokesman, called on the international community to take immediate steps to force Israel to put an end to its aggression. He also warned of the repercussions of continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, Petra said.
Jordan has issued several vehement condemnations of Israel in recent weeks, with King Abdullah telling the UN General Assembly last month that his country “rejects threats to the holy places and the Arab character of this holy city [of Jerusalem].”
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah also demanded international intervention on Friday, Israel Radio said, calling on the United Nations to provide protection for the Palestinians. Speaking to a local news website, Hamdallah maintained that the Palestinians had the right to defend themselves, both on their land and at their holy places.
At least seven Palestinians were killed Friday by Israeli security forces, including six people who were shot along the border fence that separates Israel from Gaza. Another Palestinian was shot dead by police in the West Bank after he stabbed and wounded an officer in Kiryat Arba, adjacent to Hebron.
Israel has been grappling with a rising tide of terror attacks, and has accused the Palestinian Authority, among others, of inciting violence by disseminating “lies” about ostensible Israeli plans to change the status quo at the Temple Mount and allow Jewish prayer there. Israel denies any such intention.
