Jordan's Senate Palestine Committee, chaired by Senator Mazen Droozeh, met on Thursday with the Holy See's ambassador to Jordan, Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian cause, conditions in Jerusalem, and the protection of holy sites and their historical and legal status.
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Droozeh praised the Holy See's support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, commending the strength of Jordan-Vatican relations and Pope Leo XIV's positions in favour of peace and Palestinian rights. He reaffirmed Jordan's unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause under King Abdullah II, placing the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem at its centre, along with the preservation of their identity and historical and legal status - rooted in the Hashemite custodianship.
Droozeh highlighted the dangers posed by measures affecting the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and restricting freedom of access to places of worship. He pointed to the storming of the mosque on 23 July, in which 4,288 settlers participated, and to the arrests, expulsions and work restrictions imposed on Jerusalem Waqf employees and guards.
He said the threats facing Al-Aqsa Mosque cannot be separated from the situation confronting indigenous Christian communities and churches in Jerusalem, noting a significant decline in the Christian population over recent decades as a result of wars, displacement, occupation, and accompanying restrictions, violations, and economic and political pressures.
Droozeh cited the documentation of 176 harassment incidents against Christians in 2025 alone, as well as an incident in which Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Holy Week celebrations - a decision that was subsequently reversed. He said such actions violated freedom of worship and the historical status of the holy city.
He also noted that a number of Palestinian universities in the West Bank had been subjected to raids and military operations, while universities and educational institutions in Gaza had suffered widespread damage and destruction. UNESCO, he said, has indicated that 95 percent of higher education campuses in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, and that targeting education threatens the future of Palestinian generations and undermines their right to learning and knowledge.
Droozeh stressed the importance of the role the Holy See can play in protecting holy sites, defending freedom of worship and championing Palestinian rights. He emphasised that a just and comprehensive peace requires ending the occupation, realising the two-state solution, and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the lines of 4 June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Ambassador Dal Toso said continued dialogue and coordination with Jordan on questions of peace and stability was essential. He praised King Abdullah II's efforts in support of peace, dialogue and understanding, and Jordan's ongoing provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Dal Toso commended Jordan's role in preserving Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and the responsibility the Hashemite custodianship represents in safeguarding the city's religious and historical character and its diverse fabric.
He confirmed the Holy See's firm support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, citing Pope Leo XIV's calls for the protection of civilians, an end to their suffering, and the guarantee of humanitarian assistance to those in need in Gaza and the West Bank.
Committee members in turn called for strengthened dialogue and cooperation with the Holy See in the service of the Palestinian cause, affirming Jordan's continued role under the King in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites, defending Jerusalem's identity and standing, and supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.
This article was originally written in Arabic by Al Ghad for Al Ghad. It was translated into English with AI assistance and edited by Jordan News.
