We cannot keep quiet. King Abdullah
Photo: AFP
King Abdullah: Jerusalem a red line
Jordanian ruler meets with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, urges international community to act against 'Israel's provocative actions in occupied Palestinian territories'
King Abdullah of Jordan on Wednesday urged the international community to intervene in order to prevent "Israel's provocative actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are intended to change Jerusalem's identity."
Abdullah met Wednesday afternoon with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, after which the royal palace issued a harsh condemnation against Israel.
"We cannot keep quiet in face of the Israeli steps that are meant to change the status quo in Jerusalem and cleanse it from its Arab citizens – both Muslims and Christian," the statement read.
Ashton with Jordanian foreign minister, Wednesday (Photo: AFP)
The ruler of the Hashemite Kingdom added that the holy city was the "red line" that should not be crossed.
In the statement, Abdullah lauded the European Union's stance "against the latest Israeli actions," as well as "the Union's commitment to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution."
Ashton, who is slated to arrive in Israel and the Palestinian Authority Wednesday evening, will meet Thursday with senior political echelons.
The EU official on Saturday criticized Israel's plan to continue construction in Jerusalem – on territories that are beyond the 1967 borders.
On Tuesday, while in Cairo, Ashton said that Israel's conduct endangers indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
