During a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned “violence in all its forms” in the wake of a spate of deadly attacks in Israel.
Three attacks in the space of a week have killed a total of 11 Israelis, the most recent of which occurred on Tuesday.
According to a statement, King Abdullah II expressed “Jordan’s condemnation of violence in all its forms and the resulting loss of more innocent lives.”
It was “the Israelis and Palestinians who pay the price” for “the regrettable attacks that have targeted civilians from both sides,” he said.
As he put it, “This conflict has been going on for quite some time, and the violence that has resulted from it continues to cause great suffering and provides fertile ground for extremism.”
In the town of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, a Palestinian assailant opened fire on Tuesday, killing four civilians and a police officer.
“We have to move toward allowing the performance of religious rites peacefully,” the Israeli president said ahead of Ramadan, adding that “this is what we are discussing with Jordan.”
Herzog was quoted by his office as saying, “Having Muslim leaders meet Jewish and Israeli leaders is an alternative to the abyss of hatred and bloodshed.”
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Amman the day before Herzog, where he met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, to restore calm before the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in April.
