AMMAN — Jordan's stance towards the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem remains firm despite growing challenges and obstacles, Acting Lower House Speaker Nassar Qaisi reiterated on Wednesday.

 

During a meeting with a delegation of Jerusalemite students, Qaisi said that Jordan will maintain its unaltered stance until Palestinians attain their legitimate right to establish an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

The Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem is a source of pride to Jordanians, he said, pointing out that Jordan's role in defending Jerusalem's holy sites has been made clear through the expression of its position at international forums.

 

Reiterating the centrality of the Palestinian cause, he said that the settlement of the Palestinian issue tops Jordan's diplomatic agenda, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The Lower House has monitored Israeli violations and the Knesset's "racist" establishment of 156 laws and bills that support the occupation, he said, pointing out that the Lower House  has shared this information with regional and international parliamentary forums.

 

He added that the House has issued a number of statements denouncing Israeli violations, the most recent of which was Tuesday's condemnation of the US Secretary of State's remarks declaring Israeli settlements “not inconsistent with international law". 

 

The US decision will lead to the escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and undermine peace efforts, he added, expressing the Lower House's support of Palestinians in their efforts.

 

For their part, the guest delegation expressed appreciation for Jordan's role in the Palestinian cause, highlighting that the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem has safeguarded the Holy City against Israeli practices.

 

The student delegation's visit falls within a recently launched initiative designated to shed light on the suffering of Jerusalemites, Petra added.