King Abdullah tells Arab leaders regional peace impossible without Palestinian state

Jordan’s king tells the opening session of an Arab summit that there can be no peace or stability in the region without setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

King Abdullah II, who is hosting Wednesday’s gathering of 21 Arab leaders, says the Palestinian quest for statehood remains the central issue in the Middle East.

Jordan has a large Palestinian population, and also serves as custodian of a major Muslim-run shrine in Jerusalem on land that is also home to Judaism’s holiest site.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, has been a scene of frequent Israeli-Palestinian tensions, including clashes. Palestinians fear Israel wants to divide it, a charge Israel consistently denies.

Jordan’s monarch says that “we will continue to fight any attempts to change the status quo” at the site.

AP

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.