At the end of March King Abdullah II of Jordan attended the ‘Lamp of Peace Award Ceremony’ at the Basilica of St. France of Assisi, in Italy. The award was presented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Jordanian King for his ‘efforts in peace-building and human rights.’
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Jordan is still reeling from the decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with the King and Royal Court actively seeking European and regional support ahead of an anticipated peace deal with Palestine that may further affect - or further qualify - the Hashemite custodianship of the Holy Places in Jerusalem.
So far Jordan’s European allies have refused to recognise the Israeli claim to Jerusalem, preferring the status quo. Yet as the White House, Israel and Saudi Arabia push for a settlement referred to as ‘The Deal of the Century,’ Jordan fears that powerful forces are aligning against the Hashemite monarchies custodianship of the Holy Places, and cultural role in the East of the City.
It was in this context that the Jordanian King observed in front of an audience of senior European diplomats and Vatican officials that “today, nowhere is it more important to act than in safeguarding Jerusalem. As Hashemite Custodian of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, we are bound by a special, personal duty to the security and future of the holy city.”
