Ramallah, Oct 24 (Petra) – Palestinian officials and public entities denounced the terrorist attack in the Karak Governorate as churches across Palestine were called on to ring bells at noon Saturday, in solidarity with Jordan.

The Higher Presidential Committee of Church Affairs in Palestine called the attack "a heinous crime, a flagrant violation of the sanctity of places of worship and holy sites, and an assault on religious and human values." It extended condolences to His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Jordanian people, and the families of the martyrs, wished the injured a speedy recovery, and reaffirmed that Palestine stands with Jordan during "this affliction." In a press release, head of the Committee Ramzi Khoury said extremism does not only target any specific group, but threatens the security, stability, and national unity of societies.

Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Chief Justice of Palestine and Advisor to the Palestinian President on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations, condemned "this wicked attack" as a crime that is contrary to all religious, moral, and human values, and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of life and places of worship.

Targeting places of worship and innocent people is a crime, unacceptable by any religious or humanitarian standard and unjustifiable under any pretext," Al-Habbash told Petra in an interview.

He said attempts to sow discord or undermine Muslim-Christian cohesion will fail to compromise the unity and national solidarity of the Jordanian people, reiterating the Palestinians' solidarity with Jordan in the face of terrorism and extremism.

The Islamic-Christian Commission for the Support of Jerusalem and the Holy Sites condemned the "heinous" attack in Karak in the strongest possible terms, which will not undermine Muslim-Christian unity, or sow discord among people.

Jordan and Palestine are a model in the region for Muslim-Christian coexistenc, it said, calling for combating terrorist ideology, and expressing condolences to Jordan, its King, government, and people as well as the families of the victims, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Ahmed Majdalani, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front said the Palestinians and their leadership stand with Jordan against any suspicious attempt to undermine its security and stability, adding that any threat to Jordan’s security is also a threat to Palestinian national security.

//Petra//SS