King Abdullah Warns Against 'Hostile Acts' by Israeli Settlers in Call with Biden

Jordan's King Abdullah warned U.S. President Joe Biden about hostility from Israeli settlers and unilateral actions threatening Jerusalem's holy sites. He emphasized the need for de-escalation to prevent regional conflict. The King stressed the importance of maintaining the status quo under Hashemite custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

King Abdullah of Jordan, during a phone call on Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed concerns about what he described as 'hostile acts' perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. He also issued warnings about 'unilateral measures' that could jeopardize the status quo of Jerusalem's sacred sites.

The King, whose Hashemite dynasty oversees the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, referred to recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirming no change in policy regarding a Jerusalem site sacred to Muslims. The site, also revered in Judaism as the Temple Mount, has been a significant flashpoint in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Emphasizing the fragile 'status quo' arrangement that allows Jews to visit but not pray at the site, King Abdullah highlighted the potential for violence should there be any alteration to these rules. He discussed with Biden the urgent need for de-escalation to prevent a wider regional conflict, according to a statement from the Jordanian royal court.

(With inputs from agencies.)