King, Egypt president reject collective punishment policy against Gaza

• Two leaders express rejection of any attempt at forced displacement of Gazans into Jordan or Egypt

• Two leaders reiterate call to immediately stop the war on Gaza

• Both leaders reiterate Baptist Hospital bombing in Gaza a dangerous escalation, condemn heinous crime against innocent, defenceless civilians

 AMMAN —  His Majesty King Abdullah and Egypt President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday reaffirmed Jordan and Egypt’s unified position in rejecting the policy of collective punishment, including siege, starvation, or displacement of people in Gaza.

During bilateral talks followed by expanded ones in Cairo, the two leaders expressed rejection of any attempt at the forced displacement of Gazans into Jordan or Egypt, according to a Royal Court statement.

The two leaders reiterated the call to immediately stop the war on Gaza, protect civilians, lift the siege, and deliver humanitarian aid to the people there.

His Majesty and the Egyptian president also warned that if the war does not stop and expands, it threatens to plunge the entire region into a catastrophe.

Both leaders reiterated that the Baptist Hospital bombing in Gaza is a dangerous escalation, reaffirming their condemnation of this heinous crime against innocent and defenceless civilians.

The talks also covered the firm position of the two counties towards the Palestinian cause, and the need for the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The need to maintain close coordination and consultation between the two countries on issues of mutual concern, in a way that serves their interests and Arab causes was also stressed during the talks.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Ahmad Husni, Jordan’s Ambassador to Egypt Amjad Adaileh, and a number of senior Egyptian officials attended the talks.

Later  on  Thursday, the King returned to Jordan.