Istanbul, April 15 (Petra) -- First Deputy Speaker of the Jordanian House of Representatives, Khamis Atieh, declared on Wednesday that the ongoing violations in the Gaza Strip constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, calling for an immediate end to international impunity.

Addressing the second meeting of the Parliamentary Support Group for Palestine during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly in Istanbul, Atieh stated that the deliberate targeting of civilians, the imposition of sieges, and the use of starvation as a weapon represent flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. He emphasized that these violations extend beyond Gaza to the West Bank and Jerusalem, where restrictions on worshipers' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites continue to defy the established historic and legal status quo.

Atieh reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering role under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II in protecting Jerusalem's holy sites through the Hashemite Custodianship. He also highlighted the humanitarian efforts led by the Kingdom, noting the active supervision of HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and the advocacy of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, which reflect a unified national commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.

The Deputy Speaker called for the activation of international legal mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators and urged the global community to impose deterrent sanctions on the occupying power. He stressed that a just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved by ending the occupation and enabling the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

On the sidelines of the conference, Atieh met with Ibrahim Boughali, President of the Arab Parliamentary Union and Speaker of the Algerian People's National Assembly.

The two officials discussed the necessity of a unified Arab stance regarding regional threats. Atieh reiterated that Jordan is not a party to the regional military conflict and categorically rejects any violations of its territory or sovereignty. He also noted that Jordan continues its path toward comprehensive reform and increased popular participation under royal directives.

//Petra// AF