His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said Jordan would always support 1948 Arabs.



At a meeting with representatives of the Arab Democratic Party (ADP), the King said the Kingdom would not abandon any of its Arab brethren, including 1948 Arabs “whom we shall not abandon under any circumstances.”



The delegates include politicians, mayors, businessmen, academicians, journalists and judges.



King Abdullah said Jordan would also keep its doors open for 1948 Arab students, whose number now stands at around 4,000 studying various subjects in Jordanian universities.



The King said offering youth education opportunities is “our responsibility towards the generations to come,” adding that education helps reduce unemployment and poverty and contributes to the progress of societies.



“We understand the sensitive conditions under which 1948 Arabs live,” the King said.



He called for building bridges and working out mechanisms of coordination between Jordan and the 1948 Arabs, which constitute 20 per cent of the total population of Israel.



King Abdullah renewed support for the Palestinian Authority in its pursuit for an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.



The delegates expressed their appreciation to the King and Jordan for the support they receive, highlighting the fact that the Kingdom is the 1948 Arabs' only conduit to interact with the Arab world.



Abdul Wahab Darawsheh, head of the ADP, said 1948 Arabs reject the so-called “alternative homeland.”



“Jordan is for Jordanians,” the politician said, adding that there is no Palestinian on earth who accepts the alternative homeland argument.



Ibrahim Sarsour, the head of the Arab bloc in the Israeli Knesset, highlighted the importance of protecting the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem. In this context, he pointed out the role played by Jordan in safeguarding the Holy City and its revered sites.



ADP member Talab Sanaa said that with the approaching Israeli elections and the electoral win of Hamas in the Palestinian legislative polls, the region is entering a decisive stage.



Commending Jordan's approach towards Arab Israelis, Sanaa called on other Arab countries to show the same support for his fellow Arabs in Israel.

The Jordan Times