Jerash - Senate President Faisal El-Fayez said that in light of international and regional geopolitical changes, the existence of new political equations and a new political reality in the region, and the continued expansionist and aggressive policies of the occupying Israeli state, we must all rally around His Majesty King Abdullah II and support His Majesty's efforts in defending our national principles and Jordan's supreme interests. His Majesty also supports His Majesty's commitment to maintaining the state of security and stability Jordan is experiencing, despite the chaos surrounding it and the political and security conflicts in the region.
El-Fayez stressed the importance of strengthening our internal front and confronting hate speech, regionalism, and sectarian rhetoric seen on social media, or "social strife." He explained that Jordan is being targeted from abroad and by some infiltrators within. He also noted that the electronic flies directed against the nation via various social media platforms and fake accounts, with the aim of spreading chaos in Jordan, are relentless and are making every effort to tamper with our social fabric and national unity. This requires closing ranks and firmly confronting anyone who tampers with the nation's security and stability.
He called for strengthening the role of the national media to defend Jordanian principles and media messages that target Jordan's security and national unity. He also emphasized the importance of unifying the Jordanian media message, noting the need for political parties to play a role in confronting advocates of sedition and hate speech.
This came during his meeting today in Jerash Governorate with several representatives of the local community in the governorate, in the presence of the Assistant President of the Senate, Senator Zuhair Abu Fares, and the heads of the Senate committees, in addition to the Governor of Jerash, Dr. Firas Al-Faour, and the governorate's notables and deputies. This meeting reflects the Senate's commitment to communicating with various social, popular, and youth components, as well as representatives of community institutions in various governorates, to engage in dialogue on various national issues and challenges in light of the current regional situation.
The Senate President presented the various challenges Jordan has faced since the founding of the modern Jordanian state, emphasizing Jordan's continued ability to overcome them and emerge stronger and more resilient, thanks to the wisdom of our Hashemite kings, the awareness of our Jordanian people, and the resilience of our armed forces and security services. He noted that the greatest achievement of the Jordanian state is the ability of His Majesty King Abdullah II, with his wisdom and political acumen, to maintain the security and stability of Jordan amidst the conflicts and chaos surrounding it.
El-Fayez pointed out that Jordanians, from all social backgrounds, are proud of their Hashemite leadership and its dean, His Majesty King Abdullah II. They are also proud of the Jordanian Army, the Chosen Arab Army, and our security forces, the nation's shield and impregnable fortress, whose pure blood has been shed in defense of the nation's pride, dignity, and honor, as well as of Palestine, the walls of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and in defense of the just causes of our Arab nation. He emphasized his rejection, along with all free people of the nation, of any attack on our armed forces and security forces from any quarter. Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II, our armed forces, and our security forces are a red line, so that Jordan can remain a fortress of steadfastness and a formidable force in the region that cannot be bypassed. This is so that Jordan can remain a nation that is impervious to defeat and a towering mountain in the face of challenges and conspiracies. Let our national unity be a trust upon our necks, as His Majesty King Abdullah II has emphasized. El-Fayez asked why everyone who defends the homeland and its Hashemite leadership is accused of treason and incitement, noting that a traitor is someone who attempts to tamper with the security and stability of the nation, and a traitor is someone who sows discord among the members of the Jordanian family. Those who defend the homeland and its Hashemite leadership are the protectors of the nation, and our national stances do not permit anyone to outbid them. He emphasized that a Jordanian is one who owes allegiance to the pure soil of Jordan and loyalty to our Hashemite leadership and its leader, His Majesty King Abdullah II.
He added, "I am not against disciplined marches and sit-ins that safeguard the nation's security and interests and raise only the nation's flag."
Regarding the Palestinian issue and the Israeli aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, El-Fayez explained that the positions of the Jordanian people and our Hashemite leadership have always been honorable in supporting the Palestinian people and defending the Palestinian cause. Therefore, we will not allow anyone to outbid Jordan in its nationalist and Arabist positions, or in supporting our Palestinian people. Since the era of the Emirate, Jordan has supported the struggle of the Palestinian people and their fight for freedom and independence.
He stated that Jordanians, along with the free people of the nation, will never forget the sacrifices of our Hashemite leadership for Palestine. Sharif Hussein bin Ali, may God have mercy on him, refused to recognize the British Mandate over Palestine and refused to recognize Palestine as a national homeland for the Jews, leading to a conspiracy against him and his exile to Cyprus. His Majesty King Abdullah I, may God have mercy on him, was martyred at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal, may God bless his soul, never hesitated to resolve the Palestinian issue and enable the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights. His late Majesty's stance on the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem constituted a pivotal point in the history of the Arab and Islamic struggle for the Palestinian cause. His Majesty's stances also served as a shield that protected Islamic and Christian holy sites from Judaization for decades.
He pointed out that His Majesty King Abdullah II considers the Palestinian cause and its defense a top priority, and His Majesty strives with all his might to enable the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights by establishing a Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Majesty the King also firmly confronts the brutal Israeli aggression against the people of the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, and firmly and resolutely confronts Israeli expansionist plans and attempts at forced displacement of the Palestinian people. His Majesty personally delivers humanitarian aid to our besieged brothers in the Gaza Strip. This is why Jordan, with its Hashemite leadership, its clans, tribes, and diverse social groups, has been the primary defender of the Palestinian cause since the era of the Emirate. With the outbreak of the Palestinian Revolution in 1936, members of Jordanian tribes and clans volunteered and joined the revolution. They also joined our armed forces in 1948, during which our army was able to protect the West Bank.
He said, "We must be wary of those who attempt to transfer the battle with the Zionist enemy to the Jordanian interior and divert attention from what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank." He emphasized that Jordan's supreme interests and the preservation of the nation's security and stability must remain a top priority. El-Fayez emphasized that Jordan's national identity is a single identity, emphasizing at the same time that Jordan is Jordan, Palestine is Palestine, and we are all Jordanians for Jordan, and Palestinians for Palestine.
El-Fayez emphasized that Jordan's security and stability are paramount, and that Jordan comes first. He pointed out that Jordan cannot bear the burdens of the Palestinian cause alone, nor can it wage war with Israel alone. The decision to go to war with Israel is an Arab one. However, if we are called to war and Israel attempts to tamper with our national principles, we will sacrifice our blood to defend the homeland, and we will confront it with strength.
The meeting also addressed the current economic situation facing Jordan and various issues related to poverty, unemployment, citizens' living conditions, development, and investment. In this context, he explained that the economic challenges that have led to increased poverty and unemployment rates and impacted citizens' living conditions are largely due to the current situation surrounding Jordan and the conflicts taking place in the region.
El-Fayez emphasized the importance of paying attention to Jerash Governorate, supporting tourism and development projects there, and enhancing its presence on the Arab and international tourism map as an attractive destination.
He stated that His Majesty King Abdullah II is aware of the magnitude of the challenges facing the nation and its citizens. Therefore, His Majesty presented his vision for economic and administrative modernization with the aim of improving our difficult economic situation and providing a decent life for citizens.
El-Fayez concluded by emphasizing that Jordan is a strong country thanks to its King and the institution of the Hashemite throne, and strong thanks to its people, army, security forces, and constitutional institutions. Jordan is a country that continues its positive path with strength, despite regional conflicts and their repercussions. He pointed out that Jordan has been destined, since its founding and due to its geopolitical location, to face political, economic, and security challenges, some of which are due to internal reasons, and others to external factors. However, it has always overcome these challenges, stronger and more resilient.
For their part, the attendees emphasized in their interventions their support for the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II for a strong and resilient Jordan in the face of the challenges facing the nation, and their rejection of any attempt to undermine our armed forces, our security apparatus, and our national institutions.
They affirmed their loyalty and allegiance to the Hashemite leadership and the homeland, emphasizing the importance of preserving the supreme interests of the Jordanian state.
The Senate President and the heads of the Senate committees listened to citizens' comments on various service and economic issues, as well as the various issues of poverty and unemployment in the governorate. They emphasized the importance of following up with relevant government agencies and finding appropriate solutions, including establishing investment projects that employ the workforce.
At the beginning of the meeting, Senator Mahmoud Freihat welcomed the Senate President and members, appreciating this visit to engage with citizens, which reflects the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II. He emphasized their support for the Hashemite leadership in confronting challenges.