Jordan under ‘tremendous’ pressure for stance on Palestinian issue — Ghunaimat

AMMAN — Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Jumana Ghunaimat on Tuesday said that Jordan was under “tremendous” pressure because of its position on the Palestinian cause.

The minister added that these pressures coincided with many of the economic challenges and difficulties currently facing the country.

The Kingdom rejects any proposed settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which does not coincide with Jordan’s stances, which have always been reaffirmed by His Majesty King Abdullah, she added.

Participating at a seminar organised by the reform and social guidance society, the minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of the US administration’s decision to relocate Washington’s embassy to Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Ghunaimat also reemphasised the Kingdom’s position on finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which is based on the two-state solution and leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital.

Furthermore, she said that the solution to the conflict needs to entail Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their occupied homeland and compensation in accordance with UN Resolution 194.

Resolution 194 of December 1948 called upon Israel to allow Palestinian refugees who were “prepared to live at peace with their neighbours”, to return to their homes. Israel was obliged to compensate returning Palestinians for damage to their property and for the property of those who chose not to return.

To counter doubt on Jordan’s unwavering support of the Palestinian cause, Ghunaimat said the government needed to create a clear and straightforward narrative to enhance trust between citizens and the government.

Addressing the economy, the minister said that solving unemployment, poverty and high taxes would possibly take years, adding that the government was working within a well-defined programme to increase standards of living for citizens.