In a wide-ranging interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson on Connect the World, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says today's escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border is "obviously a consequence, a reaction to what we saw happening in al-Aqsa [mosque].” “Israel is pushing us all into the abyss of violence, making it impossible to engage in all that we have been talking about in terms regional cooperation to better the lives of everyone,” Safadi said. “We are at the exact moment, a dangerous moment which we worked for months to avoid.” He added: “We’ve always said that respecting Palestinian rights for freedom of worship, allowing people to worship freely and not storming al-Aqsa will prevent us from eruption of violence…unfortunately Israel did the exact opposite.” Key quotes from Jordanian FM Ayman Safadi: On how the rocket fired from Lebanon into Israel and police raids at al-Aqsa are connected: “The two are obviously interconnected. We are unfortunately at a dangerous moment which we’ve worked to avoid, a moment where violence is erupting. What we see unfolding on the Lebanese border is obviously a reaction to what we saw happening in al-Aqsa. It is the outcome of the unprovoked Israeli aggression on peaceful worshippers performing their religious duty. It’s almost déjà vu. You cannot do the same thing and expect a different reaction. We’ve always said that respecting Palestinians right to freedom of worship will prevent us from getting to the eruption in violence. Unfortunately Israel did the exact opposite.” On the potential for escalation: “We are extremely concerned. We’ve been worrying that if a spark is provided to what already exists in Palestine as a result of the absence of political horizon and continued pressure on Palestinians, violence could spiral out of control.” On what comes next: “What happens next really depends on what Israel does. If it stops its aggressions on worshippers, upholds the status quo, and allows …
Source: MyPR International