Jordan summons Dutch ambassador over anti-Palestinian remarks by far-right leader

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordan has summoned the Dutch ambassador to the kingdom in protest of remarks made by far-right Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders against the Palestinian people.

In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said it "summoned the Dutch Ambassador in Amman (Harry Verweij) on Thursday evening to the ministry’s headquarters to deliver a strongly worded protest message to his government over the remarks made by far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders."

The ministry considered these remarks to "align with the condemned decision issued by the Israeli (parliament) Knesset which aims to deny the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to their independent and sovereign state on their national soil.”

The Knesset voted early Thursday to pass a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The resolution claims that the establishment of a Palestinian state "in the heart of the Land of Israel" would pose an "existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens."

In May 1948, the state of Israel was established on occupied Palestinian lands, displacing over 750,000 Palestinians in what is known as the Nakba (Great Catastrophe).

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry demanded that “the Dutch government take a clear stance condemning these remarks.”

The ministry noted that "the inciting statements made by this racist parliamentarian are legally worthless and represent a violation of international law, reflecting a culture of racial hatred that must be combated."

Wilders, a far-right politician known for his anti-Islam stance, has previously made repeated statements denying the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to an independent and sovereign state, suggesting the Palestinian issue could be resolved at Jordan's expense.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi