Jordan summons Australian diplomat over East Jerusalem recognition

Jordan, on Monday, voiced its concern after the Australian government decided to no longer recognize East Jerusalem as "occupied" and said the decision runs contrary to international resolutions and consensus that East Jerusalem is an integral part of Palestinian territories occupied in June-1967.

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Sabah al-Rafe'i, said the ministry summoned Australian Charge D'affairs in Amman, John Feaks and expressed the Kingdom's concern over his country's government's decision not to refer to East Jerusalem as "occupied".

The ministry reiterated the Hashemite guardianship on Muslim and Christian sites in the holy city, stressing that Jordan will continue to do its duty in protecting and preserving the holy city's sanctities and maintaining its Arab identity.

While stressing deep-rooted ties between the Arab and Islamic worlds and Australia, the ministry said it hopes that the Australian government revisits its decision and remains within the international consensus on Jerusalem's status.