The Holy City of Jerusalem

Palestinian Rights

Jerusalem, east and west, could become the capital of both Palestinians and Israelis. It could be two capitals.

Interview with Milton Viorst
“The Hashemite Option”
Chapter 10 of In the Shadow of the Prophet, 1998

 

As for Jerusalem, our stand is clear and is based on international laws and the inadmissability of effecting any changes in Jerusalem before the final status negotiations.

Interview with the Egyptian Al-Musawwar newspaper
March, 1997

 

As for Jerusalem, we have declared our position more than once, in that the land of Jerusalem occupied in 1967 is Arab land subject to the terms of reference for peace, based on the land-for-peace formula. . . . In view of the special status of the Islamic sites in Jerusalem, and because of Israel's unilateral and illegal decision to annex Jerusalem, we have included, in Article Nine of the Jordanian-Israeli Peace treaty, a clause that commits Israel to respect the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Holy Shrines in Jerusalem. Therefore, Jordan's historic role will be given priority during final status negotiations. This clause does not in any way infringe upon the right of our brethren to establish their own state, with its capital in Jerusalem. Nor does it mean that Jordan wishes to impose on Islamic, Arab and Palestinian rights in the Holy City. Our role therefore is one of support for and assistance to our Palestinian brethren, just as much as we have a constructive role in achieving the peace of the believers, one that is honorable, just and lasting, God willing.

Letter to Prime Minister Abdel Salaam al-Majali
Amman
December 4, 1997

 

We have provided the Palestinian Authority with all brotherly and sincere support throughout different times and stages. We will continue to support our brothers, today and in the future, towards attaining the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and establishing their independent state on their national soil, with its capital in Jerusalem.

Speech from the Throne
Opening of the Thirteenth Parliament
Amman
November 29, 1997

 

I do not believe that the problem of Jerusalem presents an insurmountable difficulty. The greater city of Jerusalem can be the capital of both the State of Israel and Palestine. Jerusalem should be a shining symbol and the essence of peace forever between Palestinians and Israelis as well as all the followers of the three great monotheistic religions.

Address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, France
September 25, 1995

 

I have been calling all along for Jerusalem to be the essence and reality of two facts in a context of regional and comprehensive peace: One the solution of the Palestinian-Israeli problem, and Jerusalem must come to represent that in some way hopefully.

West Jerusalem is always a de facto capital of the State of Israel. I believe that in the occupied east part of the city the Palestinians must also have their place and then that would be a great accomplishment for all the times to come.

Press Conference with French President Jacques Chirac
Paris, France
July 3, 1995

 

With the help of Allah, we have been able to direct the attention of the world to Jerusalem, as a cause not only of shrines, but also of people. With regard to the people, the Palestinian leadership is the sole legitimate representative, responsible for the restoration of Palestinian rights and territory, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, in accordance with resolutions of all Arab Summits since the Rabat Resolution of 1974, of Islamic summits, and of those resolutions of international legitimacy . . . .

I hereby declare, in clear terms, that we, as Hashemites and Jordanians, hold these Shrines in trust. We saved them with the blood of our sons in the 1948 War, and undertook three phases of their restoration in the name of the Ummah. It is a trust we still preserve, take care of and protect and we will execute our duties in the name of the Ummah until the status of the Shrines is addressed, in an appropriate and acceptable manner. As such, we acknowledge no sovereignty over these Shrines, save that of Almighty God. We do not belittle the right of our Palestinian Arab brothers toward these Shrines. We support their right and the right of the whole of Islamic Ummah to the custody of our Holy Shrines.

Address to the Seventh Organization of the Islamic Conference Summit
Casablanca, Morocco
December 14, 1994