FM, EU’s Borrell discuss Israeli minister’s provocative actions

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday called on the international community to take a firm stance against the hate speech and incitement fuelling violence and conflict in occupied Palestine, violating human values and norms.

In a telephone call on Wednesday evening with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Safadi emphasised the dangers of the extremist, racist ideology in the statements and actions of the Israeli finance minister, who denied the existence of the Palestinian people and their historical rights from a podium on which there was an alleged map of Israel that included the occupied State of Palestine and Jordan within its borders.

Borrell condemned the finance minister's statements, describing them as dangerous and unacceptable, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Safadi held that the Israeli government is responsible for the “hate speech, extremist incitement and despicable actions of the Israeli finance minister”, calling for the government’s “clear and explicit” rejection of such actions. 

Remaining silent about such statements and racist positions under the pretext of balancing the coalition government is unacceptable, dangerous and will only escalate tensions and spread extremist ideology, Safadi emphasised.

Borrell stressed the need for the Israeli government to confirm that these statements are not representative of its positions and highlighted the European Union's position, which rejects all unilateral Israeli actions and insists on the two-state solution for achieving peace.

Both sides discussed the serious deterioration in the occupied Palestinian territories and stressed the need to stop all measures that fuel violence and conflict, which undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. 

They were briefed on the outcomes of the Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh meetings and Jordan's efforts to launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the conflict, consistent with the two-state solution, which calls for an independent and sovereign State of Palestine created around the June 4, 1967, border lines, with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.

Safadi expressed appreciation for the EU's "crystal clear" stance in supporting the two-state solution, rejecting unilateral Israeli actions and insisting on the need to respect the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.

He also commended the EU for its strong position in denouncing hate speech in all its forms, as exemplified by the statements, positions and actions of the Israeli Finance Minister.

During their meeting, the two sides discussed the historical and distinguished Jordanian-EU partnership and affirmed the commitment to its continued development in various fields. Safadi also expressed his appreciation for the friendly relations between the Kingdom and the Union, as well as the EU's support for Jordan.