Amman, May 15 (Petra)-- Lower House First Deputy Speaker Khamis Hussein Attieh said the repeated incursions by Israeli occupation forces into Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a blatant assault on Islamic and Christian holy sites, a provocation to the sentiments of the Arab and Islamic nations, and a flagrant violation of international law and all relevant international resolutions and conventions.

Attieh who participated at popular marches held in the capital on Friday to commemorate the Nakba anniversary, stressed that no matter how far the occupation goes in its aggression, it will not be able to alter the firmly established historical reality that Jerusalem is Arab and Islamic, and that Al-Aqsa Mosque will remain exclusively for Muslims.

He added that "what is built on falsehood is falsehood," emphasizing that rights do not expire with time and that the Palestinian people will remain steadfast in defending their land, identity, and legitimate national rights.

Attieh said the painful Nakba anniversary, observed today, will remain an open wound reminding the world of the crimes of displacement and uprooting committed against the Palestinian people.

He stressed that Palestinian refugees will one day return to their homes and that the will of peoples is stronger than occupation, regardless of how long it lasts.

He reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering position, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in defending Jerusalem and its holy sites, safeguarding the historic Hashemite Custodianship over them, and supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people until they attain their full legitimate rights, establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and secure the return of refugees to their homeland.

//Petra// MF