In major situations, words reveal the state's balance in understanding events, the values that guide its decisions, and its ability to see beyond the present moment. From this position came the speech of His Majesty King Abdullah II before the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly; a clear Jordanian voice in a turbulent time, a responsible position based on the right, connecting the justice of the Palestinian cause, the security of Jordan, the stability of the region, and the credibility of the international system.
The speech brought together three interrelated circles in their effects and destinies: the circle of the human being and their right to life and dignity, the circle of the state and its duty to protect its sovereignty and the interests of its people, and the circle of the international community and its responsibility to enforce the law and preserve peace. His Majesty addressed the world from within these combined circles, making Palestine in the speech a matter of justice that touches the human conscience, a legal matter that tests the credibility of international institutions, and a security matter whose outcome affects Jordan and the entire region.
His Majesty chose to start with a precise meaning highly relevant to our era: attention. In a world where images and crises are crowded, international attention has become a political resource that determines what reaches decision-making rooms and what withdraws from the general memory before finding a solution. When the spotlight fades from the tragedy, the tragedy remains in the lives of its people, and the forces imposing the facts find more time to solidify them. Hence, the speech carried a profound message that neglect is a position with consequences, and what the world chooses to ignore may become the danger that everyone faces tomorrow.
In light of this meaning, His Majesty's talk about Palestine was more than a reaffirmation of a steadfast Jordanian position; it represented a transition from warning of the consequences to naming the facts and assigning responsibilities. For decades, Jordan has warned that managing the conflict would lead to its explosion, and that postponing the solution would widen the scope of injustice and narrow the chances of peace. Today, Gaza and the West Bank reveal the human and political cost of that postponement: killing, destruction, and displacement in Gaza, settlement and land seizure and organized violence in the West Bank, and a continuous path aimed at changing the reality and undermining the possibility of a viable Palestinian state.
His Majesty brought back the precision and weight to the words. The demolition of houses to expand settlements is forced displacement, the seizure of occupied land is de facto annexation, and forcing residents to leave their land is a war crime. This language carries a meaning beyond the power of expression; it transfers the issue from the political description space to the field of legal responsibility, and redirects attention from the scenes of tragedy to the policies that created them. Naming actions by their names preserves the truth from distortion and prevents injustice from taking refuge behind mitigating phrases that prolong it and make it familiar.
From the position of legal and judicial responsibility, we realize that justice begins with stating the truth, is established by placing responsibility in its place, and is completed by compensating the oppressed and repelling aggression. Language in rights issues carries an impact equivalent to that of judgments; because it shapes people's awareness, determines the nature of the act, and draws the path to accountability. When the balance of naming is disrupted, the balance of judgment is disrupted with it, and the distance between the truth and what is presented to the world about it widens.
Therefore, His Majesty's question about the value of international law if it can be ignored for decades is a question at the heart of justice and the legitimacy of the international system. The law derives its authority from the consistency of its application, and institutions gain the trust of peoples when they protect the principles for which they were established. However, the disparity of standards in the face of similar facts weakens trust and sends a dangerous message that protection is affected by power balances and the identity of the parties. And then the whole world pays the price; because the collapse of trust in the law opens the door for brute force to become a judge between countries and peoples.
The speech expressed a clear Jordanian approach: peace based on vigilance, diplomacy supported by readiness, and openness to dialogue led by a state that knows its interests and protects its sovereignty and resources. The speech redirected responsibility towards the roots of the crisis and called for an international transition from managing results to addressing causes, and from issuing decisions to enforcing them, until the law becomes a force that protects peace and deters aggression. His Majesty affirmed that Jordan's bias towards diplomacy stems from strength and responsibility, accompanied by a firm determination to protect the homeland and the security of its people.
Jerusalem remains at the heart of this vision, in terms of its right, identity, and trust. The Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites is a continuous historical covenant, upheld by His Majesty to protect the existing historical and legal status, preserve the identity of the holy city, and defend its holy sites against attempts to divide and change the reality. This role gives Jordan a responsibility that goes beyond daily politics to preserving a religious and cultural heritage that belongs to all of humanity.
His Majesty's affirmation of protecting Christianity and its communities carries a highly significant message in the face of attempts to portray the conflict as a conflict of religions. Arab Christians are an integral part of the history and identity of this land, and protecting their existence is an extension of protecting the diversity that flourished in the region over the centuries. Jordan has preserved a model based on brotherhood and respect for human dignity, and the Hashemites have carried the message of moderation that shows the essence of Islam in justice, mercy, and the protection of freedom of worship and sanctity.
In the balance of our noble Sharia, justice represents a trust, responsibility, and the basis of civilization, as Allah says: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives." This verse establishes justice that transcends whim and interest, and preserves the right of every human being regardless of their religion, race, or nationality. It is incumbent upon this justice to protect blood and dignity, redress grievances, and for countries and institutions to bear their responsibility in protecting the weak and preventing aggression. On this basis, the Jordanian position meets the essence of heavenly messages and the purpose upon which international law was established.
Standing with the position expressed by His Majesty is a fulfillment of the constants of the Jordanian state, a support for the right of the Palestinian people to freedom, dignity, and a state, a commitment to the Hashemite custodianship of the holy sites, and a bias towards the security, sovereignty, and resources of Jordan. His Majesty carried to the world a message that combines the wisdom of the state and the call of conscience: the continuation of injustice threatens everyone, the justice of the law protects everyone, and peace based on rights is the surest path to a secure and stable future. And Jordan is a reliable partner, steadfast in its word, open to cooperation, and firm in its national decision.
His Majesty spoke on behalf of a confident Jordan, aware of its principles and role, and placed before the world a clear balance between power and right, between managing crises and solving them, and between temporary peace made by circumstances and lasting peace made by justice. Jordan, with its Hashemite leadership, will remain steadfast in supporting the right, strong in protecting its homeland, keen on peace, and moving forward in building its future with confidence and balance.
May Allah keep Jordan safe and secure, and may He preserve His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein, and His Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, and may He assist them in continuing the journey of building and defending the interests of the homeland and the causes of the nation.
