His Majesty King Abdullah has sent a letter to Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Cheikh Niang, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, marked annually on November 29.

In the letter, King Abdullah reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, and the importance of continuing to strive towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace, accepted by all peoples and in accordance with international law and UN resolutions, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty said it is everyone’s duty to support all efforts to break the stalemate in the peace process, and relaunch direct and serious negotiations to achieve peace, based on the two-state solution, and in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative; and to end unilateral Israeli measures that undermine peace prospects and fuel conflict, such as settlement activity, annexation attempts, and any steps to impose as new status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

The King noted that the peace process faces two scenarios — either a just peace that ends the occupation and leads to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution; or the continuation of conflict, exacerbated by continuous violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, and illegitimate steps that undermine the chances of achieving peace.

As the Hashemite Custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, His Majesty said the city and its holy sites will always receive the utmost attention and care, and the custodianship will remain a historical duty and responsibility "we have been proud to carry for over a hundred years”.

Jordan, in coordination with the Palestinian National Authority and with the support of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, will continue undertaking this responsibility, while supporting the steadfastness of Arab Jerusalemites, and countering any attempt to impose a new status quo or alter the historical and legal status quo in the holy city, the King added.

His Majesty stressed the importance of providing all means of support to sustain the work of UNRWA, in accordance with its UN mandate, until a just and comprehensive solution that addresses all final status issues is reached, safeguarding Palestinian rights in line with UN resolutions, foremost of which is Resolution 194, and ensuring the right of return and compensation to Palestinian refugees.

The King warned of the impact of failing to meet the funding needs of UNRWA, especially in the health and education sectors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing confidence in the ability of the committee to work with Jordan and the international community to shed light on this humanitarian issue, and support UNRWA’s global efforts, including at the upcoming donor conference, which will be co-hosted by Jordan and Sweden next year.

Also in the letter, His Majesty expressed appreciation of the committee’s role in mobilising international support and its efforts in defence of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.