His Majesty King Abdullah demanded that Israel stop all unilateral actions that threaten holy sites in Jerusalem and the identity of the holy city. He warned that such actions threaten to destabilise not only Israel's relationship with Jordan, which has a special concern and role in Jerusalem that is recognised in the peace treaty. It will also inflame the Islamic world and jeopardise efforts to re-launch peace negotiations.

King Abdullah was speaking in an interview on Tuesday with Israel's Haaretz newspaper, excerpts of which were published today with the full interview to be published tomorrow. King Abdullah said that he had emphasised the sensitivity and sanctity of Jerusalem with every Israeli prime minister, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the American Administration. The holy city should be a symbol of coexistence among the three monotheistic religions, he added.

The King also stressed the need to end settlement activities.

When asked whether he supports building a wall in Jerusalem, King Abdullah said he did not believe in walls and that walls eventually come down.

King Abdullah said the status quo cannot be perpetuated, because "we are sliding back into the darkness". He said it was difficult to be hopeful for the region's future without a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as part of a comprehensive settlement between the Arab states and Israel.

"Because if there is no two-state solution, what future do we all have together? Show me the future of Israel 10 years from now. Where do you want Israel to be vis-à-vis its relationship with Jordan and other Arab countries?" he asked. Israel should decide if it is going to be fortress Israel or is it going to be part of the neighbourhood, he added.

The King was asked about Jordanian-Israeli ties, 15 years after the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries. He recalled the atmosphere that prevailed in 1994 and the promise of peace, saying that "our relationship is getting colder." King Abdullah attributed the gap between the two countries to the failure to achieve comprehensive peace and to realize a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.