On the Palestinian issue, His Majesty spoke with rare clarity in international forums, pointing to the ongoing attacks in Gaza despite the so-called ceasefire, and the targeting of Jordanian field hospitals there. In the West Bank, he named the demolition of houses as forced relocation, and the seizure of land as de facto annexation, affirming that Gaza and the West Bank are two sides of a single strategy aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state.
His Majesty reminded the world that the Arabs have never been absent from the peace table, as the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 offered normalization in exchange for peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state, and that the obstacle was not the absence of an Arab partner, but the absence of an Israeli government willing to accept.
Perhaps the strongest point in the speech was that it directly held the international community responsible; the world has the tools of pressure, such as sanctions, asset freezes, and diplomatic isolation, and has used them in other issues, but hesitates when it comes to Israel. This hesitation, as His Majesty said, is a choice, not an inability.
For Jordanians, the message was decisive; His Majesty warned of the incursions in southern Syria and their impact on vital water sources, and affirmed that any threat to our northern borders or water security is a threat to our national security: “We will protect our security, our water, and the interests of our people.” He emphasized that Jordan's adherence to diplomacy does not mean weakness, and no one should take it for granted.
His Majesty renewed Jordan's commitment to supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and UNRWA, and to carrying the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
On behalf of the hotel and tourism sector, we affirm that what His Majesty proposed affects the core of our work and the future of our sector; tourism is the sector most affected by the region's crises, and the first to pay the price for the absence of stability, when reservations are canceled and visitor traffic declines due to events outside our borders. Therefore, His Majesty's call to address the root causes of crises instead of managing them, and to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, is a call to protect the livelihoods of thousands of Jordanian families working in this sector. We are confident that Jordan, with its wise leadership and its security and stability, will remain a safe haven and a reliable destination for visitors from all over the world, and the hotel and tourism sector will continue its role as a partner in presenting the bright image of Jordan: a country of security, hospitality, history, and openness.
This speech embodies the model of Jordan that His Majesty wanted: a state loyal to its principles, open to dialogue, steadfast in its positions despite the changing calculations around it. As we support everything mentioned in it, we affirm that Jordanians will remain united behind their Hashemite leadership, supporting them in defending the homeland and the just causes of the nation.
May God protect Jordan, and may God protect His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.
