Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received a telephone call on Saturday from his Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt, to discuss efforts to restore calm in Jerusalem and its holy sites.
According to the Kingdom’s official news agency Petra, talks focused on ways to end the escalation, the importance of Israel respecting the legal and historical status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque and the right of worshippers to perform their religious rites without any restrictions.
Safadi urged the cessation of Israel’s escalatory measures that undermine the historical and legal status quo of Al Aqsa Mosque, including extremists’ storming of the mosque.
He considered stopping the entry of non-Muslims to the mosque in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan a step in the right direction towards respecting the existing historical status quo, which, in turn, will contribute to alleviating tension.
Both sides agreed that action must be taken to return to serious and effective negotiations to resolve the Palestinian cause, based on the two-state solution and in accordance with the international law.
Safadi warned of the impacts of the continued absence of all prospects of real and effective effort to resolve the conflict based on the two-state solution, underscoring the need for the international effort not to be exclusive to ending the current wave of escalation.
It is necessary to address the roots of tension and conflict that will continue to pose a threat of a volatile situation if parties lost hope in the peace process, Safadi warned.
Safadi expressed appreciation for the stance taken by Norway, which currently occupies a non-permanent position in the UN Security Council, in support of the two-state solution and its efforts to reactivate the peace process.
He also valued its role as chair of the AD-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) to coordinate international support to the Palestinians.
The two diplomats agreed to carry on coordination and consultation to end the cycle of tension and violence and discuss practical steps to resume serious and effective negotiations to implement the two-state solution.
