Jordan – Conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart (10 May 2021)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, about the situation in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories. The ministers expressed their grave concern at the current violence in Jerusalem and around Gaza.

The ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to respect for international law. They also underscored the need to rigorously preserve the historic status quo on the Temple Mount, and the importance of Jordan’s specific role in this regard. They expressed their deep concern at the threats of forced eviction made against residents in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, which are fueling tensions.

The minister for Europe and foreign affairs underscored the need for all actors to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any provocation or incitement to hate in order to put an end to the current violence, the main victims of which are the Palestinian and Israeli populations. The minster reaffirmed our strong condemnation of the increasing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip targeted against Jerusalem and several inhabited areas of Israeli territory, which could lead to a serious escalation: These rocket attacks, for which Hamas has notably claimed responsibility, must cease immediately.

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Q. What role can France and the EU play in order to start de-escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and do you think that the Israeli authorities used excessive force?

A. Please refer to the statement I made today regarding the conversation between the minister and his Jordanian counterpart.

France and its EU partners have long been committed to finding a just and lasting solution to the conflict, based on the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital. We are determined to continue our efforts in this area, as we have over the last few months, together with Germany, Egypt and Jordan in particular.